Packaging

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in February decreased 8% compared to February 2024.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 9% in February compared to February 2024.

Nearly 33 million tons of cardboard was recycled in 2023. The cardboard recycling rate was 71% -76%.

Manufacturing different products is a lot like following a recipe. The U.S. paper industry uses a balance of fresh wood pulp and recycled paper pulp to make products. Fresh wood pulp comes from sustainably managed forests. 

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in January increased 4% compared to January 2024. 

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 7% in January compared to January 2024.

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.

According to the report, total Containerboard production in Q4 increased 1% compared to Q4 2023. It was up 5% when compared to the same 12 months of 2023. 

Total Boxboard production in Q4 increased 5% compared to Q4 2023. The boxboard operating rate was 84.7%, up 3.8 points from the same quarter last year and up 3.3 points year-to-date.

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in December increased 13% compared to December 2023. They were up 11% when compared to the same 12 months of 2023. 

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments increased 3% in December compared to December 2023. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers increased 1% in November compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels remained essentially flat …