Thanks to a renewed commitment to the environment in recent years, Continental Airlines has significantly increased the effectiveness of its recycling program. Through targeted, cost-effective, manageable, and sustainable recycling opportunities across the system, Continental Airlines recovered more than 6,000 tons of paper and paper-based packaging for recycling from 2006 to 2009. This success was the result of increased recovery on Continental's aircraft, at its hubs, and in offices and supporting facilities.

• In 2010, 63.5 percent of the paper used in the U.S. was recovered for recycling. This represents an 89 percent increase in the recovery rate since 1990.
• Every ton of paper recycled saves more than 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space.
• 87 percent (268 million) of Americans have access to curbside or drop-off paper recycling programs.
• In 2010 the amount of paper recovered for recycling averaged 334 pounds for each man, woman and child in the United States.