Paper & Cardboard Recycling
The paper industry recycles nearly 60% more paper today than it did in 1990.
What Are the U.S. Paper and Cardboard Recycling Rates?
Paper recycling rates have continuously grown over recent decades and remain consistently high. Let's break down the rates.
2023 Paper Recycling Rate
In 2023, the paper recycling rate was 65% - 69%.
We recycled 46 million tons of paper. That’s 126,000 tons per day.
2023 Cardboard Recycling Rate
The 2023 cardboard recycling rate was 71% - 76%.
We recycled nearly 33 million tons of cardboard. That’s 90,000 tons per day.
Paper is one of the most widely recycled materials in America. In fact, 79% of Americans have access to a community residential-curbside recycling program. This makes it easier to recycle paper and cardboard at home.
Paper and paper-based packaging is recovered for recycling from multiple places, including:
- Residential: This includes curbside, condo/apartment building communal or drop-off recycling.
- Commercial: This includes retail like your grocery store and big box stores. Also office buildings.
- Institutional: This includes places like hospitals and schools.
- Industrial: This includes factories, gas and electrical plants, and more.
Why is AF&PA's Rate a Range?
The new rate is calculated as the amount of paper recycled compared to the amount of paper available for recovery. The previous rate measured the amount of paper recycled compared to the amount of paper used.
The updated methodology factors in a few changes that are best represented in a range.
Where Recycled Paper Goes
At paper mills across the country, recycled paper is used to make the essential products millions of people rely on every day!
In 2023, nearly half of recycled paper went into making containerboard — the material used to make cardboard boxes.
Recycled paper makes boxes for food and medicine, tissue products like toilet paper and paper towels, and newspapers.
Recycled paper is also exported. It's used in paper mills around the world to manufacture new products.
Innovative Recycling Solutions
Research, outreach and new technologies are helping ensure the products the industry makes can be recycled.
Explore AF&PA member investments, innovative packaging, and projects to improve recycling technology.
Decades of Commitment
Investing in and improving paper recycling has been an industry priority for decades.
Discover the paper industry's efforts and commitment to improve paper recycling.