• Washington DC

More than half the paper consumed in the United States during 2003, or 49.3 million tons, was recovered for recycling - a significant milestone in paper recycling history, reports the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA).

The recovery represents an increase of 69 percent since 1990, when only 33.5 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. was recycled. Currently, Americans recover approximately 339 pounds of paper for every person in the United States, up from 233 pounds per person in 1990. This accomplishment was made possible by AF&PA member companies and millions of Americans who recycle at home, work, and at school.

More than 80 percent of all paper mills in the U.S. use recovered paper to make their products, with recovered paper representing 37 percent of the raw material used to make new paper and paper products.

Still, says AF&PA, greater collection of more high-quality papers is necessary to ensure the continued production of new recycled content paper products. As domestic and export demand for recovered paper continues to grow, domestic supply will be squeezed by an anticipated 50 percent surge in U.S. exports of recovered paper. Most of that demand will come from Asia, particularly China.

Back