The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has joined the newly created Recycling Partnership, formed by the Southeast Recycling Development Council and the Curbside Value Partnership (CVP).

The Washington-based paper recycling and products association said it will sit on the organization’s Advisory Committee, which will select communities for funding and decide the scope of each community’s program, according to a news release.

The Recycling Partnership intends to create public-private partnerships that provide grants and technical expertise to municipalities in the Southeast region to improve recycling infrastructure and education. Its goal is to increase recycling in the Southeast and then expand nationally. It hopes to launch as early as July.

“The Recycling Partnership adds another important initiative to AF&PA’s ongoing efforts to increase paper and paper-based packaging recovery,” said Donna Harman, AF&PA president and CEO.

"Part of what makes this project so exciting is that it is truly representative of the different sectors and materials of the recycling supply chain. It's foundational to our success," said Keefe Harrison, CVP executive director.

The CVP is a non-profit organization that helps communities improve residential curbside recycling through education.

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) Plastics Division also recently joined the Recycling Partnership.