U.S. Paper Recovery Rate Drops Slightly to 65.8% in 2017

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced that 65.8 percent of paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling in 2017.

“Paper recycling brings continued economic, environmental and social benefits to communities across the country,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman in a statement. “We thank the millions of Americans who choose to recycle every day for their essential contributions to paper recycling’s success.”

Paper recovery for recycling helps extend the useful life of paper and paper-based packaging products, making it an integral part of the industry’s sustainability story. The industry has a goal to exceed 70 percent paper recovery for recycling by 2020 as part of its Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability initiative.

“Paper is one of the most successfully recovered and recycled commodities in the U.S. because of our strong, market-driven voluntary system,” said AF&PA Board Chairman and GEC Packaging Technologies CEO John Rooney in a statement. “Our industry will continue to support and implement education programs and initiatives that drive awareness and increase access to paper recycling.”