Missouri Newspapers Use More Recycled Paper

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has learned that 85 Missouri newspapers reported an average of 52 percent average usage rates of recycled content newsprint last year.

"Newsprint users are to be congratulated for surpassing the 50 percent recycled content goal that was established by their peers and the state legislature 10 years ago," said Steve Mahfood, director of Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources. "This support for recycling should encourage Missouri citizens to increase their recycling of old newspapers. Paper products are still the largest percentage of solid waste that goes to landfills."

According to the DNR, for last year 85 Missouri publications reported their recycled content newsprint usage rates. Of these, 79 percent met or exceeded the 50 percent goal set by the legislature; 47 publications reported using 100 percent recycled content usage.

For 2002, the DNR reported the following numbers: 81 publications reported recycled content newsprint usage rates; of those, 71 publications, or 88 percent met or exceeded the 50 percent goal. Fifty one Missouri publications used 100 percent recycled-content newsprint.

In 2001 the recycled newsprint usage was the following: 75 publications reported their recycled content newsprint usage rates to the department; of those, 52 publications or 69 percent of those reporting met or exceeded the 50 percent goal. Six publications used 100 percent recycled-content newsprint.

In 2000 70 publications reported their recycled content newsprint usage rates; of those, 80 percent met or exceeded the 50 percent goal. Forty-one publications used 100 percent recycled-content newsprint.

Under Missouri law, newspapers with an average daily distribution of 15,000 or more must report how much recycled content newsprint they use.

A complete report on recycled content newsprint used by Missouri publications is available online at www.dnr.mo.gov/alpd/swmp/rrr/newspaperRecycling.htm.