With the northeastern United States leading the way, tipping fees paid to landfill owners for solid waste disposal have increased as much as 533% since 1980. Fueled by the rapidly diminishing number of available landfills, these rates are expected to go only higher, adding to the public's frustration. Local, state, and federal officials are seeking solutions to mitigate the problem and the public outcry.

In an address at the May 14,1990 Waste-paper I Conference, James B. Malloy, president and chief operating officer of Jefferson Smurfit Corporation and Container Corporation of America, stated: “The bottom line is that our industry, not only in the U.S., but also around the world, must continue to strive for sensible waste reduction at the source as well as total integration of waste management options. In cooperation with, not in conflict with, the public sector we can continue to be positive, constructive participants in the search for workable solutions to the municipal solid waste challenge.”

Recycling is part of the solution. Paper, which contributes up to 40% of solid waste, offers an obvious solution (see Figure 1). The focus on recycling must remain high, encouraging the public to collect and sort waste paper as well as purchase recycled material. What follows is a description of some attempts to inject order into this otherwise complex issue.