The Supply of Recovered Fiber The Issue The demand for useable recovered fiber is outstripping the supply. Our Position We need the cooperation of all levels of government, private sector recycling companies, and the American public to ensure that we have enough useable recovered paper for our mills to operate efficiently and cost-effectively. Our Approach Access to fiber remains the top priority for the paper industry. Global demand for recovered paper is growing at the rate of six million tons per year. Sustaining the current industry needs for recovered fiber and meeting the growing demand in the future are at the heart of the industry's survival. Contaminants such as plastic coatings and laminates, inks, adhesives, food, and broken glass affect the quality of recycled paper. Single-stream collection programs, which commingle recyclable materials in one bin, increase the contamination we find in the paper we use in our mills. If collected materials are not clean and free of contaminants, they can damage costly equipment and make the product unfit for its intended end use. Keeping paper free of all other recyclable materials is the best way to ensure that the paper will be recycled properly.