The National Recycling Coalition (NRC), International Paper Co., Time, Inc., are partnering with Quad Graphics, Recycle America Alliance, FCR, Inc. and the Wisconsin Be SMART Coalition to increase magazine recycling in the metro Milwaukee area.

The project team will expand an intensive magazine recycling program that was first piloted in the east coast. The team, which includes local government agencies and private collectors/processors in the area, will test ways to significantly boost magazine recovery, including intensive consumer education.

According to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources studies, about 30-40% of magazines and catalogs are being recycled by residents. What are some of the barriers?

• Some consumers think glossy paper is a contaminant in paper recycling. This may have been true in the early days of recycling, but markets and paper recycling technology have changed significantly over the past several years. All community recycling programs accept magazines and catalogs for recycling.

Now the markets are strong for all types of paper, including magazines and catalogs. Companies need these materials to make new paper products.

• Residents may tend to save and collect magazines more than newspapers. When you clean out your basement or garage, remember to include the magazines in your set out for recycling.