America’s Most Recyclable Resource: Forests
Atlanta, GA - On November 15th, Keeping Forests recognizes the importance of America Recycles Day America Recycles Day was started by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to highlight the impact of recycling. Four of the five most recycled products are forest products. Keeping Forests is striving to protect the 245 million acres of forestland in the U.S. South by supporting private landowners whose forests provide clean air and water, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat and forest products.
Why Do We Need to Recycle?
Recycling is a key driver for the economic stability of the United States. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Recycling Economic Information Report, recycling and reuse activities totalled 757,000 jobs and $36.6 billion in wages annually. Our nation is the land of opportunity and consumerism has long been a part of our cultural identity. As our culture becomes more sustainably-conscious, now is the time to clear up the confusion about what materials can and cannot be recycled.
The forest products industry contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy annually and makes up 4% of the U.S. manufacturing GDP. According to the American Forest and Paper Association, the forestry and forest products industries in the U.S. directly employ upwards of 950,000 people, making this sector among the top 10 manufacturing employers in 45 states. The paper and packaging industry is also protecting our forest resources by planting twice the volume of wood harvested annually which equates to planting 3.5 million trees every day!
Is It Just About Paper?
Recycling includes more than just forest products. Water is recycled through the waste-water treatment process. Water needed to grow the food we eat, to produce industrial products, and to maintain human hygiene - from taking showers to flushing toilets. In the United States, 27.4 billion gallons of water are used for domestic consumption, EVERY DAY. As the need for water increases, so does the cost to clean it. This is where forests can help. A forested watershed, which is at least 60% covered in trees, leads to cleaner water and saves water utility users money each month. This is a great incentive to bring industry to the area, since paper and packaging producers use a significant amount of water in the production process.
What Happens if We Lose Forestland?
Urbanization and land use change could have a drastic impact on privately owned forests. According to the Southern Forest Futures Report published by the USDA Forest Service, the U.S. South is expected to lose between 11 and 23 million acres of forestland by the year 2060, primarily as a result of increased population and urbanization. That’s equivalent to a land mass the size of South Carolina.
Without these forests, we lose a huge economic driver, leading to loss of rural jobs, as well as crucial habitat for wildlife. Keeping Forests was created in order to bring public and private partners together to slow this forestland loss. United together, we aim to catalyze market-based solutions that help landowners keep their land in forests.
How Can You Help Protect Forests?
Recycling is only part of the solution. Using forest products as an alternative to carbon-intensive products such as steel, concrete and plastic will help individuals reduce their carbon footprint. Forest products and other co-benefits of forests are the way to protect the U.S. South’s 245 million acres of forestland.
Check out some of these forest-based innovations on the horizon:
Resources:
Great video direct from the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) — America Recycles Day
Zach Clifton
Keeping Forests Communications Specialist
Zach supports Keeping Forests via its partnership with the Georgia Forestry Association. Zach and the other communications staff at GFA lend support to the partnership both strategically & tactically.
