The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has presented the City of Guntersville, Ala., with its 2013 Community Recycling Award.

The AF&PA notes that Guntersville’s recycling program was recognized for its range of outreach efforts, including close collaboration between city agencies that increased public awareness and participation, as well as the city’s partnerships with local civic groups, churches and state and federal government agencies.

"AF&PA is proud to present the City of Guntersville with this year's AF&PA Community Recycling Award. Guntersville's recycling program is particularly intriguing thanks to the breadth and depth of the paper recovery efforts currently in place," says Steve Klarman, RockTenn Recycling’s director of sales, who presented the award on behalf of AF&PA.

Guntersville’s recycling program began in 1994 as an initiative to control the growth of its municipal landfill, reduce solid waste expenditures and preserve its natural beauty. Continual improvements have helped achieve the current program, which provides curbside collection to residents and 275 commercial participants. Due to the success of the program Guntersville has extended its recycling program by collaborating with the Marshall County (Alabama) Commission to establish drop-off centers.