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AF&PA Announces Support for the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act and the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act

CONTACT: Tim Ebner 
comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in support of the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act (RCAA), introduced by U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), John Boozman (R-AR) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act (RIAA), introduced by Senator Capito. 

“The paper and wood products industry is a leader in sustainability and recycling. Nearly two-thirds of paper used in the U.S. was recycled in 2020, including nearly 89 percent of all cardboard boxes and corrugated containers. In addition, our industry has planned or announced approximately $5 billion in manufacturing infrastructure investments from 2019-2023 to continue the best use of recycled fiber in our products. 

“The RCAA will advance recycling and composting in the United States by helping the Environmental Protection Agency improve their measurement, data and reporting tools. The RIAA will improve recycling accessibility in communities, including historically underserved communities. AF&PA applauds the leadership of Senators Carper, Boozman and Capito, and encourages Congress to pass these bills into law.” 

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recyclable resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative —Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures about $350 billion in products annually and employs about 925,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of about $65 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 43 states. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper