AF&PA Announces 2010 Recycling Awards Conference

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, D.C., has launched its 2010 Recycling Awards program, inviting the nation’s business, community and school paper recycling programs to compete for national recognition. Award criteria, entry forms, deadline information and case studies of previous winners’ programs are available at www.paperrecycles.org.

In 2008, a record-high 57.4 percent of paper was recovered for recycling, but AF&PA urges that more can be done. “Reaching the industry’s 60 percent recovery goal by 2012 will require the on-going dedication of the millions of Americans who recycle paper every day at work, school and at home,” according to a press release from AF&PA.

“Recycling is one of our nation’s greatest environmental success stories and the paper industry is proud of its role in nurturing that success,” AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman says. “The AF&PA Recycling Awards help promote and encourage recycling by recognizing programs across the country that are making a difference through innovation and hard work. We applaud those whose programs and activities enable additional recycling and hope that their efforts will inspire others to follow their lead.”

Separate awards are given for business, community and school (kindergarten - 12th grade) programs. Entries must be submitted no later than Feb. 9, 2010.

Award winners will be announced in March 2010 and will be featured in national and local media outlets and on the paperrecycles.org Web site. Winners also will receive a cash prize and a piece of original framed artwork.

Previous winners have included Orange County, N.C.; Seattle; Hewlett Packard; and Giant Eagle.

The Web site www.paperrecycles.org offers complete award descriptions, criteria and entry forms as well as recycling statistics, program case studies and a variety of free resources developed to help recycling program managers improve their programs.

The American Forest & Paper Association is the national trade association of the forest products industry, representing pulp, paper and wood products manufacturers and forest landowners.