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AF&PA Reports 86 Percent of U.S. Population Have Access to Community Recycling Programs

Posted on: Wednesday, 27 July 2005, 15:00 CDT

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today released the results of its 2005 AF&PA Community Survey. The study shows that 86 percent of the U.S. population, or 254 million people, have access to curbside or drop-off recycling programs. AF&PA and its member companies are encouraged by the increase in grades of paper being recovered in existing recycling programs and see this as an important factor in helping to achieve the industry's aggressive goal to recover 55 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. by 2012.

AF&PA's 2005 Community Survey is a comprehensive national study that measures and tracks the growth of access to community-level paper and paperboard recycling in the U.S. The survey results complement the findings of several studies that AF&PA has conducted since 1994. Data gathered in the survey will guide AF&PA's work with its partners to increase the quantity and the quality of paper recovered for recycling.

Key findings from the survey include:

-- 86 percent of the U.S. population (254 million people) have access to curbside or drop-off recycling programs.

-- 56 percent of the U.S. population (148 million people) have access to curbside recycling programs.

-- 64 percent of the U.S. population (165 million people) have access to drop-off recycling programs.

-- Increased recycling access for many mixed paper grades--especially direct mail, telephone directories, and coated and uncoated paperboard--suggesting that communities with existing curbside and drop-off programs are adding paper and paperboard categories to their programs.

-- Growth in curbside programs employing single stream collection systems.

AF&PA's 55 Percent Recovery Goal

AF&PA and its members set an aggressive goal to recover 55 percent of all paper consumed in the U.S. by 2012. While we are well on our way, having reached 50 percent recovery for the first time in 2003, there is still much work to be done.

While significant efforts on the part of those involved in paper recycling have contributed to great success in the recovery of old corrugated containers and newsprint - each with a recovery rate above 70 percent - opportunities exist to increase recovery of other grades. High quality paper like that found in offices and schools represents one such example.

AF&PA has developed partnership programs with a variety of organizations to raise visibility for recycling and increase paper recovery. Working with groups including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, office building owner CarrAmerica, and grassroots organizations like Keep America Beautiful, the industry is reaching out to target audiences with key recycling messages and resources.

To obtain an executive summary of 2005 AF&PA Community Survey results; for more detail on the recovery of specific paper grades; or to learn more about AF&PA's recycling outreach programs and resources, visit www.paperrecycles.org. For a hard copy of the report, please contact Rhonda Slade (ph: 202.463.2737, email: Rhonda_Slade@afandpa.org).

About AF&PA

AF&PA is the national trade association of the forest, paper and wood products industry. AF&PA represents more than 200 companies and related associations that engage in or represent the manufacture of pulp, paper, paperboard and wood products. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 7 percent of total U.S. manufacturing output, employs 1.5 million people, and ranks among the top 10 manufacturing employers in 42 states. Visit AF&PA online at www.afandpa.org. For additional information on AF&PA's recycling program, please visit www.paperrecycles.org.

Source: Business Wire

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