By Ted Fischer
November 3, 2003

In an ever-changing environment of co-mingled trash and the land filling of paper and aluminum, the recycling and buy recycled industries are searching for solutions to long-term industry challenges. Janet Kincaid, Manager of Fiber Recovery and Utilization for the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA), and Brenda Pulley, Vice President, Government Relations for Alcan Aluminum Corporation facilitated a lively discussion about the future of recycling and anticipated shortfalls in the recycling industry.

Kincaid told the audience that paper faces two challenges: the increased export of recycled goods, which could lead to a lower amount useable recycled materials in the United States and decline in the quality of recovered paper, which threatens the operation of factories that operate within the United States.

AF&PA and EPA are working on an initiative designed to educate schools on the importance of recycling. AF&PA has also set a goal of 55 percent of all paper to be recovered by 2012.

Pulley spoke on the decline of the aluminum market and the need to re-invest in education to promote more recycling. Alcan owns and operates recycling facilities worldwide and has recycled over 10 million tons of aluminum. Pulley stressed to the audience that aluminum is the cleanest and most easily recycled commodity presently on the market. Recycled aluminum can even be recycled as quick as a 60 day "can to can" loop, which makes it easier to resell and save on precious resources. The US currently has a 53 percent aluminum recycling rate.

Pulley and Alcan have been working with cities and mayors on a way to increase the amount of aluminum that gets recycled yearly. Alcan even has a way to calculate how much each city can save in the number of cans recycled on their website (www.recycle.alcan.com). Alcan is working to educate and re-energize the recycling marketplace with featured ads on Nickelodeon, and active voice-in programs, such as EPA's "Plug-In to eCycling."

For more information please see the MWMA website at usmayors.org/mwma.