The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) 2012 Community Recycling Award was presented today to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Wash.

The presentation was made as part of NAS Whidbey Island’s April 3 “Countdown to Earth Day Kickoff” event.  The program stood out from more than 200 applications from 42 states as a result of successfully recovering 2,664,000 pounds of paper and paper-based packaging in 2011, averaging 222 pounds per person. 

“This is a shining example of what can be accomplished through a community supported paper recovery program,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman.  “We at AF&PA are proud to recognize NAS Whidbey Island and all of the hard-working individuals who make this initiative a priority on a daily basis.”

The award-winning program was started in 1990 as part of a larger effort to meet changes in the overall way business was conducted at Navy bases across the globe, and in the past five years, more than 7,300 tons of paper has been recovered for recycling.  Program administrators credit their results to annual educational opportunities, community events, and the sharing of best practices through publications, meetings, and personal interactions.

"Recycling is a way of life for Team Whidbey," said Capt. Chris Phillips, NAS Whidbey Island's Executive Officer at Tuesday's kick-off.  "The combined efforts of our tenant commands and the innovation, focus and team work of the staff at Navy Whidbey Recycle truly make a difference to the air station's environmental footprint."

AF&PA recently announced a record-high paper recovery rate of 66.8 percent of paper consumed in the U.S. in 2011.  This is equivalent to 52.8 million tons and enough to fill 9,280 railroad box cars spanning the distance from New York to Los Angeles more than three times.  Programs such as the one at NAS Whidbey Island combined with the recycling efforts of millions of Americans each day will help drive the industry toward its goal to exceed 70 percent paper recovery for recycling by 2020.

For more information about all the 2012 AF&PA Recycling Award winners, case studies on previous winners’ programs, background information, free classroom resources, statistics and more, visit www.paperrecycles.org.