Forest Service Recycling Research: New Technology for Wastepaper Use, 1992 TAPPI Conference Proceedings

We are running out of acceptable sites for landfilling municipal solid waste (MSW) in the United States. We currently generate 180 million tons of MSW annually, with more than 130 million tons going to landfill. Wastepaper and wood wastes represent the largest component of MSW -- more than 44 percent by weight. The USDA Forest Service (FS) recognizes that increasing the recycling rate for these forest products through advances in recycling technology is an essential step in solving the landfill problem.

The FS, in cooperation with more than 50 paper companies, governmental agencies, and academia, has developed a research program that will help make increased recycling of wastepaper a reality. The proposed program, which focuses on technology needs for new processes and products, emerged from extensive reviews by our constituency. Research will address key technological barriers to recycling and identify alternative material products of wastepaper recycling.

Three integrated research areas reflect the objectives of the program: (1) enhanced paper recycling technology, (2) alternative material technologies to use waste fiber, and (3) ongoing economic evaluation of new technologies to help establish research priorities and facilitate technology transfer. By implementing the fundamental processing and material technologies developed through this research, we can convert our landfill problem to a valued resource.