Gretchen Spear, Manager

Recovered Fiber & Packaging

American Forest & Paper AssociationMarch 19, 2009

COG Recycling Committee Meeting

IMPROVING TOMORROW’S ENVIRONMENT TODAY®

About AF&PA

National trade association of the forest products industry, representing pulp, paper, packaging and wood products manufacturers, and forest landowners. 

The forest products industry accounts for approximately 6 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP.

Industry companies produce $200 billion in products annually and employ more than 1 million people earning $54 billion in annual payroll.

The industry is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 48 states.

Paper Bag: An Environmental Success Story

National Recovery Rate: 36%

Made of Recycled Content

Fixture in Community Recycling Programs

Compostable and Biodegradable

Made from a Renewable Resource

Carbon Sequestration

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Where Are We today?

State and Local Legislation Proliferating

Many initiatives include both paper and plastic bags

AF&PA opposes legislation that unfairly taxes paper bags

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Why Do We Oppose Legislation?

Environmental Record

Commitment to Recycling

Utilization of Recovered Material

Renewability

Compostability

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Questions?

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