Paper Recycling Hits Record High
If measured by weight, more paper is recovered for recycling than all glass, plastic and aluminum combined. Photo: Flickr/orphanjones
A record-high 63.4 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling in 2009, according PaperRecycles.org, which is funded by the American Forest & Paper Association.
The all-time high exceeds the industry’s 60 percent recovery goal three years ahead of schedule.
“Recycling is one of America’s great environmental success stories, and the paper industry is proud of our ongoing leadership role in this arena,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman.
“[This] announcement is a testament to the work of the industry and the commitment of millions of Americans who recycle at home, school and work on a daily basis.”
In 2009 the amount of paper recovered for recycling averaged 325 pounds for each man, woman and child in the United States.
About 50 million tons of paper and paperboard were recovered last year, down slightly from the year before, after plateauing at about 52 million tons in 2007, reports Environmental Leader.
According to the U.S. EPA, approximately 33 percent of the municipal solid waste stream is made up of paper and paperboard products.
Paper makes up the largest portion of the municipal waste stream and is also one of the most highly recovered materials as 87 percent (268 million) of Americans have access to curbside or drop-off paper recycling programs.
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- (03/26/2010). "Record 63.4% of U.S. Paper Recovered for Recycling in 2009" Environmental Leader http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/03/26/record-63-4-of-u-s-paper-recovered-for-recycling-in-2009/.
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purity wanjiku
posted on June 12th, 2010 at 7:48 am
I usualy think how i can help people in city by having an idea how recycling of papers and plastics can be done atleast for good environment.every one is using paper.it has been a vision but i don’t have anyone to turn to no one understand whether there is a paper recycling company in Nairobi. Ineed to know more about recycling campany in kenya.
Paper Recycling Services
posted on June 17th, 2010 at 12:39 am
you know that paper recycling is especially important to reducing climate change, because it reduces the need to cut down carbon dioxide-absorbing trees to make more paper.
Jhon Smith
posted on June 22nd, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Worth mentioning is the size and number of plastic recycling companies makes it clear that plastic is just as much a recycling issue as is paper. Plastic recycling is perhaps one to be considered as the most important due to the materials inability for to brake down in the environment.