European paper sector reaches new heights in recycling

Archiv – New statistics show that the paper and board recycling rate in Europe reached 64.5% in 2007, which confirms that the industry is on track to meet its voluntary target of 66% by 2010. Europe | New statistics show that the paper and board recycling rate in Europe reached 64.5% in 2007, which confirms that the industry is on track to meet its voluntary target of 66% by 2010.
According to the European Recovered Paper Council (ERPC) the total amount of paper collected and sent to be recycled in paper mills was 60.1 million tonnes, an increase of 7.6 million tonnes (or +14.5%) since 2004, the base year for the target.
’Our 2007 Monitoring Report shows that the paper value chain is on the path to performing better and being more sustainable. Europe is already the global champion in paper recycling ‘€’ in millions of tonnes and in knowledge ‘€’ but the industries along the paper value chain have nevertheless raised the bar even further. We are all working hard to reach the target set in 2006 in the European Declaration on Paper Recycling’, says Anders Hildeman, ERPC Chairman.
‘€˜This monitoring report shows that the voluntary commitment has delivered remarkably with both quantitative and qualitative progress’€™ he adds. To reach the target, the Declaration focuses on complementary actions by all of the sectors involved, and gives priority to prevention of waste; improving recyclability of paper and board; and improving the quality of recovered paper.