Paper Recycling

The successful integration of a recycling program into the paper industry is one of the most under-publicized stories of the environmental movement.  In the 90’s, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) set a goal to recover 55% of all paper from the nation’s waste stream by 2012.  Thanks to the efforts of millions of Americans this goal was surpassed in 2007 and a new goal (60%) was set for 2012.

The 54.3 million tons of paper recovered last year equal approximately 360 pounds for every man, woman and child in America.  What does all this recovered paper get made into?  Well… more paper.  In fact more than 36% of the fiber used to make new paper products in the United States comes from recycled sources.   For example, the newspaper (with the half-finished crossword) recycled this morning will eventually be used in the making of cereal boxes, egg cartons, pencils, insulation or many other diverse products.

The environmental savings is enormous.  One ton of paper produced from recycled material saves:

• Enough energy to power an average household 6 months;
• 7,000 gallons of water; and
• 17 trees.

Recycling is easy to do, and it’s good for business and the environment.  So the next time you read the paper, open your mail, clean out your files, or empty a