Mar 27, 2007. /Lesprom Network/. The American Forest & Paper Association announced on March 26 that a record 53.4% of the paper consumed in the U.S. (53.5 million tonnes) was recovered for recycling in 2006. This is the second year in a row that the paper recovery rate has increased. The 53.5 million tonnes represent an increase in recovery of 83.7% since 1990, when the paper industry undertook its first serious commitment to advance recycling in the United States. Currently, Americans recover nearly 360 pounds of paper for every person in the United States, up from 233 pounds per person in 1990. This impressive accomplishment was made possible by the efforts of AF&PA member companies and the millions of Americans who recycle at home, work, and school every day, including the fact that 86% of the U.S. population, or about 258 million people, have access to curbside or drop-off recycling programs, according to a 2005 AF&PA Community Survey. In order to keep up with global demand for recovered fiber, the industry has set a goal of 55% recovery by 2012. "These results show that we are closing in on our 55% paper recovery goal at a much faster rate than we anticipated," said AF&PA president & CEO Juanita D. Duggan. "We're encouraged by both the quantity and quality of paper being recovered, but we still have an opportunity to bump this number even higher by increasing recovery of high quality paper found in offices and schools." AF&PA is the national trade association of the forest, paper, and wood products industry. AF&PA represents companies and related associations that engage in or represent the manufacture of pulp, paper, paperboard, and wood products. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 6% of the total U.S. manufacturing output, employs more than one million people, and ranks among the top 10 manufacturing employers in 42 states with an estimated payroll exceeding $50 billion.