Product Stewardship

Investing in and improving paper recycling has been an industry priority for decades. Download AF&PA's handout explaining our efforts to capture even more paper from the waste stream for recycling. 

Download AF&PA's handout explaining the 2023 paper and cardboard recycling rates.

Download our handout that explains: The definition of Extended Producer Responsibility The role of paper in EPR programs   Our industry’s investment to improve paper recycling Our recommendation for EPR programs

Before an EPR program is considered, states need to do a needs assessment. Download our handout explaining the benefits of conducting a needs assessment to understand the current state of waste and recycling systems. 

Before an EPR program is considered, states need to do a needs assessment. These studies help states better understand the current state of their waste and recycling system.

We explain Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programs, the role of the paper industry in EPR, our industry's investment to improve paper recycling and our recommendations for EPR programs. 

In 2023, nearly half of recycled paper went into making containerboard — the material used to make cardboard boxes.

In 2023, the paper recycling rate was 65% - 69%. 

The 2023 cardboard recycling rate was 71% - 76%.

Paper recycling is a success. In 2023, the paper recycling rate was 65-69% and the cardboard recycling rate was 71-76%.

Paper is one of the most highly recycled materials in the U.S. The paper recycling rate was 65-69% and the cardboard recycling rate was 71-76%.

AF&PA announced 65-69% of paper available for recovery in the United States was recycled in 2023. The recycling rate for cardboard was 71-76%.