2010 Census chaff will benefit children of feds

By most estimates, that census form you'll be filling out in 2010 will be shredded 10 to 15 days after the data that's on it is entered into the system. After that, the shreddings will be sold to be recycled. The money that comes back goes to help the littlest feds.

"The proceeds from the shredded paper go to help childcare facilities in the federal government," Census Director Robert Groves told FederalNewsRadio.

While that may be a nice chunk of change now (Groves said he didn't have exact figures at hand), the Director thinks there will be less paper generated next time around.

I can't imagine a 2020 census without some use of the internet, but as soon as I say that, I have to remind us all that none of us have any idea what the internet is going to look like in 2020. It could have capabilities that we can't even imagine now, so the trick for a scientific agency like the Census Bureau is to stay light on our feet on technology and be adaptive - be able to take advantage of the latest in order to stay current with the wonderful technological innovation that comes to us every day.

425 million census questionnaires have already been printed for mailing next spring and are being stored, in "a warehouse stacked with forms seven stories high", according to Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-MO.), the chairman of the House Census Subcommittee at a recent hearing.

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On the Web:

FederalNewsRadio - Have confidence in the count: Census Director Groves explains

FederalNewsRadio - Census flap pits House vs. Senate on Capitol Hill

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