According to American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), a record 56 percent of the paper consumed in the United States was recovered for recycling in 2007 achieving a significant industry goal five years ahead of schedule. AF&PA has set a new goal of 60 percent recovery by 2012.

Total paper recovery reached 54.3 million tons in 2007, equaling 360 pounds of paper for every man, woman and child in America. That's enough paper to fill the Empire State Building 100 times.

"Paper recycling is a great American success story," said Patrick J. Moore, chairman and CEO of Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, an AF&PA member.

"Americans already recycle a large percentage of two paper grades, corrugated containers and newspapers, so achieving AF&PA's 60 percent recovery goal by 2012 will require focus on increasing recovery of other grades including printing and writing papers, catalogs and direct mail, as well as extracting additional fiber from our country's waste stream."

Log on to www.afandpa.org for additional details.

04/16/2008