WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 2006--The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today announced that the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon has received the 2006 AF&PA School Recycling Award in the college and university category. Due to the high volume of impressive school-related entries, the AF&PA School Recycling Awards were expanded to include a college and university category. Thanks to a tie in this category, the award was also presented to the University of Colorado at Boulder.

The University of Oregon's Recycling Program is a student-initiated and run organization. The comprehensive program includes education and outreach to all of the 24,000 members of the campus community. Through extensive tracking of specific materials, the University of Oregon reports they have recovered more than 9,000 tons of paper, resulting in a cost savings of more than $2 million.

More than 40 types of materials are recycled or reused and source separated on campus, and revenues help to augment the program. Through committees, professional memberships, partnerships and networking, their program extends into the greater community working with local, regional and international efforts on waste management. The program strives to model excellence in environmental stewardship and to stimulate sustainable practices both on campus and in the community.

The AF&PA Recycling Awards were created to recognize outstanding individual, business, community and school paper recycling efforts. In 2005, a record-high 51.5 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling. The paper industry has set an ambitious goal of 55 percent recovery by 2012. It is only through the continued efforts of the millions of Americans who recycle at home, work and school that this goal will be achieved.

For detailed descriptions and a video overview of the 2006 AF&PA Recycling Award winners, along with additional recycling materials and resources, please visit www.paperrecycles.org. To learn more about the University of Oregon's recycling program, please visit www.uoregon.edu.

About AF&PA

AF&PA is the national trade association of the forest, paper and wood products industry. AF&PA represents more than 200 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 7 percent of total U.S. manufacturing output, employs 1.5 million people, and ranks among the top 10 manufacturing employers in 42 states. Visit AF&PA online at www.afandpa.org