The recycling process can begin at any number of locations, including community curbside programs, drop-off centers, schools or offices. Regardless of where the recycling process is started, it is important to understand what can be recycled in your community and what steps you need to take to recycle.

According to the 2000 AF&PA Community Survey, 237 million people (86 percent of the U.S.) have access to some form of community paper/paperboard recycling, either through curbside collection or drop-off programs. Currently, more than 50 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. is recovered for recycling. This is important because for every ton of paper recycled, it saves more than 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space. In fact if measured by weight, more paper is recovered for recycling from municipal solid waste streams than all glass, plastic, and aluminum combined.

To learn more about how to establish a sustainable paper recycling program or improve an existing program in your workplace, school or community, visit AF&PA's Recycling Guides.