US Paper recovery rate edged higher in 2014: AF&PA

SPOKANE (Scrap Monster): The annual statistics released by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) indicates that the US paper recovery rate increased marginally during 2014.

As per data, 65.4% of the total paper consumed in the country was recovered for recycling during the year. This is slightly higher when compared with the recovery rate of 63.5% during the year before. The country’s paper industry has set a goal of achieving 70% recovery rate by 2020 as part of its ‘Better Practices, Batter Planet’ initiative. The annual paper recovery rate has nearly doubled since 1990.

According to the industry body, efforts are on to achieve the set target by 2020. Towards achieving the goal, AF&PA decided to boost the activities of the voluntary, market-based recovery programs. Meantime, AF&PA thanked millions of Americans who have helped to lift the paper recovery rate year after year.

The amount of total paper generated in the US has fallen in 2014. The paper generated in the country during the year totaled 78.21 million tons, lower when compared with the 78.95 million tons generated during 2013. It must be noted that the country had generated 105.32 million tons of paper during 1999. The quantity of newsprint paper generated in the country has witnessed sharp decline with more newsprint media switching to digital mode. The newsprint recovery rate remained high at 68.9% last year.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy.