Paper has quietly become on of the biggest recycling success stories in the United States. In 2007, 56% of all the paper discarded in the United States was recycled. Why? Because the paper industry itself promotes recycling and recognizes that it just makes sense.

Even when you account for the energy required to collect and process paper for recycling; it still takes less water and 40% less energy to make paper from recycled materials rather than virgin materials. And there is plenty of paper to recycle! Look at all the paper around your home: newspapers, junk mail, catalogs, phone books, school papers, bill inserts and envelopes. Paperboard is another paper product that’s recyclable. This is the thin cardboard like packaging that we buy so many products in. All that cardboard is recyclable too. Any paper or cardboard product without food on it is recyclable — that’s why you can’t recycle pizza boxes.

Paper that’s recycled is fluffed and sifted to remove heavier cardboard items. The paper is then bundled and sent to paper mills or immediately processed into cellulose insulation right here in the recycling facility. In one-hours-time a bale of insulation is made from paper dumped from the recycling truck.

The success of paper recycling is also driven by the growing demand to buy recycled paper products. From insulation to printer paper; look for the recycling symbol. And if you want to support your recycling efforts buy the highest post consumer content. That’s the paper we recycle — not paper scraps from the factory floor.

Recycling paper is easy and making products from recycled paper requires less water and energy. When we conserve energy we also create less air pollution. So Do Your Part to recycle all of your paper products and buy recycled paper products when you can. You’ll be doing your part to reduce, reuse and recycle.