Jan 23, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. Total U.S. industry consumption of recovered paper in December 2011 was 2.3 million tons, 7.5% lower than December of last year, and 3% lower than November 2011, as the American Forest & Paper Association said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. Decreases compared to last month were observed across most grades of recovered paper except pulp substitutes and high grade deinking, which recorded small gains. These gains, however, did little to offset the more precipitous drops in mixed, newspapers and corrugated. Overall, consumption of recovered paper in 2011 was 5% lower than in 2010. Inventories increased to their highest level for 2011, bringing days of supply up one day to 12, though they still fell short of the 922 thousand tons of ending stocks for December 2010. U.S. exports of recovered paper dropped 6% in November, marking the lowest export volume in 2011 since February. The volume drop was accompanied by noticeable decreases in average $/ton values for mixed, newspapers and pulp substitutes. Year-to-date exports in 2011 are 13% higher than last year by volume. Import tons were flat in November, keeping year-to-date volumes 29% higher than in 2010, but they also suffered a significant decrease in average $/ton values. The American Forest & Paper Association is the national trade association of the forest products industry, representing pulp, paper, packaging and wood products manufacturers, and forest landowners.