American Forestry & Paper Association Recycling Award winners announced

Each year the American Forestry & Paper Association (AF&PA) presents awards to recognize efforts to increase the percentage of used paper that is recycled in the United States. According to the AF&PA, a record 51.5 percent of the paper consumed by Americans in 2005 was recycled. The organization has set a goal of 55 percent recovery by 2012.

In addition to honoring business and community recycling, this year’s awards were expanded to recognize the work of schools and universities.

This year’s AF&PA Recycling Award winners are:

Ed Hurley Memorial Paper Recycling Award (recognizing individual achievement)

- Joel Ostroff, Macon County, N.C.

AF&PA Business Leadership Recycling Awards

- Small Business: Bluegrass Regional Recycling Corporation, Richmond, Ky.

- Large Business: Brewer Science, Inc., Rolla, Mo.

AF&PA Community Recycling Awards

- Small Community: Northfield, Minn.

- Large Community: Seattle

AF&PA School Recycling Awards

- Classroom: Heber Springs High School, Heber Springs, Ark.

- School-wide: Mountain Home High School, Mountain Home, Ark.

- College and University (tie): University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colo. and the University of Oregon, Eugene, Ore.

More information about the awards and detailed background on the winners can be found at www.paperrecycles.org.