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February 3, 2022
Press Release

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 public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry’s decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030. 

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