EPA has taken a leadership role in waste management by setting a national goal to achieve a 35 percent recycling rate by 2008. WasteWise efforts are vital to achieving this goal. In the past 10 years, more than 1,800 WasteWise partners have committed to waste prevention, recycling, and buying/manufacturing recycled products. WasteWise creates a strong waste reduction ethic within business, nonprofit, and government sectors that will be essential to achieving the 35 percent goal. EPA has identified several key waste streams to increase the recycling rate from 31 percent in 2003 to 35 percent in 2008. These materials, which have been historically targeted by WasteWise partners, include organic materials, paper, and primary packaging and containers.