The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announces that 66.8% of paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling in 2015.

“Industry efforts, the voluntary, market-driven recovery system, and the millions of Americans who make the decision to recycle every day have helped to keep U.S. paper recovery at continuously high levels,” says AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman.

“Our industry will continue to support and implement education programs and initiatives to inform consumers about the importance of paper recycling, and encourage the continued expansion of access to paper recycling nationwide,” says AF&PA Board Chairman and Packaging Corporation of America Chairman and CEO Mark Kowlzan.

The annual paper recovery rate has nearly doubled since 1990, and the industry has set a goal to exceed 70 percent paper recovery for recycling by 2020 as part of its Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability initiative. Paper recovery for recycling helps extend the useful life of paper and paper-based packaging products, making it an integral part of the industry’s sustainability story.

For more information about paper recycling and AF&PA’s commitment to sustainability, visit paperrecycles.org.