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Industry Explainer

Are Toilet Paper and Paper Towels Sustainable?

We answered common questions about toilet paper and paper towels and explained why they are a responsible choice.

Why the EU Needs to Reconsider Their Deforestation Law

We support what the EU is trying to achieve with their anti-deforestation law. The U.S. pulp and paper industry is not linked to global deforestation and forest degradation. However, EUDR imposes some unachievable requirements that create significant technical barriers, which risks trade.

Solutions to Minnesota's Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act

Minnesota lawmakers are rushing to implement the Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act. We support and encourage Minnesota lawmakers to complete a needs assessment before considering an EPR program. This would help them reach their goals to improve their recycling system.

Why Statewide Needs Assessments Are Needed Before EPR

Before an EPR program is considered, states need to do a needs assessment. These studies help states better understand the current state of their waste and recycling system.

What is Biomass Energy? 

The paper and wood products industry is part of a circular value chain that prides itself on sustainable practices. One of the ways we’re doing that is through the production of renewable biomass energy. Then we use that biomass energy to fuel our mills so we don’t have to use as much fossil fuels…

Why EPA Should Not Finalize the Particulate Matter NAAQS Standard

EPA is proposing an update to their National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter, PM2.5. However, their proposal threatens manufacturing industries, including the paper industry. Lowering the standard would threaten or prevent modernization projects and other major…

What is Extended Producer Responsibility

Extended Producer Responsibility is a waste management strategy that is getting a lot of attention in the U.S., mostly at the state level. The paper industry is already a responsible producer and has a track record of success. We recycle nearly 75% more paper today than we did in 1990. Dive in…

Fostering Diversity and Inclusion in the Paper Industry

Procter & Gamble’s Senior Vice President, Product Supply-Family Care, Regina Gray highlights how diversity in skills and in employees can help elevate companies in the paper and wood products industry.

Georgia-Pacific’s Christian Fischer Champions Sustainability

A diverse workforce helps advance new perspectives to an ever-changing industry. Christian Fischer, President and CEO at Georgia-Pacific and chair of AF&PA Board of Directors explains why he believes every person has a role to play in advancing stewardship.

Is There a Paper Ballot Shortage?

Some recent news reports have suggested a shortage of paper availability for paper ballots in advance of upcoming elections. We sat down with Terry Webber, AF&PA’s Vice President of Industry Affairs, to answer a few commonly asked questions about this important topic.

Advancing Paper Recycling’s Success Into the Future

The findings presented in the 2021 AF&PA Access to Recycling Study show us that community recycling programs for paper and paper-based packaging are well-developed and widely accessible. This is good news when so many individuals are looking to make a difference on…

Understanding What it Means to be a Responsible Producer

As we look ahead to 2022, there are potentially other states and jurisdictions that will consider EPR approaches that could have negative consequences for the paper and wood products industry.