MEMPHIS (From WHBQ-TV) -- International Paper announced that it will permanently close its Denver, Colo., and Memphis, Tenn., Recycling plants within the first quarter of 2015.

Approximately 25 employees at each plant will be impacted by the closures. The decision to shut down these facilities followed thorough operations analyses and reviews.

"We recognize the significant impact on our team members and their families," said Tom Cleves, IP's vice president and general manager, Containerboard and Recycling. "We will work to assist affected team members with a search for other opportunities within our company, and with outplacement services, severance pay and other benefits."

In the United States, IP will continue to recover, process, and facilitate the sale of more than 6 million tons of recovered fiber each year.