The Recycled Paper Coalition is an innovative group of major organizations representing a unique effort to rethink traditional business practices regarding office paper purchase and usage. Who Are We_ The Recycled Paper Coalition (RPC) is a voluntary organization of major paper users whose National Board of Directors includes Bank of America, Kaiser Permanente, Pitney Bowes, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the California Integrated Waste Management Board, Hewlett-Packard, Norm Thompson Outfitters, The City of Chicago, RR Donnelley & Sons Company, Environmental Law & Policy Center, the Alameda County Waste Management Authority and Source Reduction and Recycling Board, Corporate Express, American Product Distributors, and the Walt Disney Company. The Coalition drew up its charter in June 1992, and today there are over 270 members, including such corporations as Warner Bros., Texas Instruments, Levi-Strauss (The Americas), and Ford Motor Company. What Motivates Us_ The primary principle endorsed by the Coalition is the need to conserve natural resources and reduce waste by purchasing "environmentally-preferred" paper products and by maximizing the efficient use of paper. The objective is to bring purchasing strength to the recycled paper market by stimulating demand for recycled paper products, especially those made from materials ("postconsumer content") that would otherwise be discarded. Coalition members agree that in working towards a sustainable future, minimizing the use of natural resources must be a priority. Why Do We Exist_ According to the EPA, paper in its various forms accounts for 40% of all solid waste generated, office paper comprising a quarter of that; furthermore, less than 20% of office wastepaper generated in the U.S. today is recovered for recycling. The Coalition strives to improve these statistics by creating a sustained demand for recycled paper, with the concurrent aim of sending the signal that additional industry investment is warranted in order to increase the supply of recycled paper. Initiated by the private sector, the Coalition represents a forward-thinking attempt by the business community to address an environmental problem before regulations compel it to do so. What Have We Achieved_ Coalition members reported a total purchase of nearly 150,000 tons of postconsumer recycled paper at year-end 2002, with an average postconsumer content of 24 percent. In addition, members reported having recycled over 370,000 tons of wastepaper. This translates to over 400,000 tons of fiber diverted from landfills as a result of members' efforts. These 400,000 tons would fill an area the size of a football field to a depth of over 750 feet! For its accomplishments, RPC received a national award in January 1995 from Renew America, a national clearinghouse of environmental initiatives. The Recycled Paper Coalition has no political agenda and is neutral on legislative issues pertaining to the environment; there are no legally binding commitments; and members are free to participate in other organizations as they so wish. All users of paper products are encouraged to join the Coalition. BACK TO TOP