The UK newspaper industry boosted its newsprint recycling to 65.1 per cent for 2002, an increase over the previous figure of 63.5 per cent for 2001.

The Newspaper Industry Materials Committee of the Newspaper Society has agreed to certain targets with the Government, and individual newspapers back up the work by printing regular information for readers about the progress being made.

The first of the new conditional targets was to reach 60 per cent by the end of 2001. That target was met ahead of schedule and the second target of 65 per cent by the end of this year has also been achieved – a year early.

The challenge is to build on that achievement – and improve on it further if the next target of 70 per cent by 2006 is to be met.

Part of the newspaper industry’s agreement with Government on recycled content targets depends on the Society and its members supporting a continuing advertising campaign. National newspapers have a similar agreement.

And a new, revised message: “RECYCLED PAPER MADE UP 65.1 PER CENT OF THE RAW MATERIAL FOR UK NEWSPAPERS IN 2002″ should be published prominently in every issue alongside the recycling logo (below).

Consultant to the Newspaper Society, Sandy Park, said: “We are assured that the Department of Environment regularly monitors performance in relation to our commitment to publish the recycled content figure and continuing industry-wide support is important.”