In 2022, 68% of paper and paper-based packaging in the U.S. was recovered for recycling. The recycling rate for cardboard, what the industry calls corrugated, was 93.6%.
According to the most recent government data available, paper and paper packaging is recycled more than any other material in the U.S. municipal solid waste stream, including plastics (8.7%), glass (25%) and metals (34.1%).
Paper recycling extends the supply of a valuable natural resource (wood fiber), saves landfill space, and avoids greenhouse gas emissions (methane) that are released when paper decomposes in landfills.
In 2022, 40.5% of the paper collected for recycling in the United States was used to produce containerboard (i.e. corrugated boxes), 12.7% to produce boxboard (folding boxes like cereal or medicine boxes, and gypsum wallboard, i.e. drywall/ facings.), 7.8% for tissue and 5.3% for other paper grades. Net exports accounted for 33.7%, the same as in 2021.
61% of U.S. consumers surveyed believe only recycled paper should be used to make new paper products.[4] However, this is not possible because fresh wood fiber from sustainably managed forests is essential to sustain a viable paper industry. Recycled fiber would not exist without harvesting fresh fiber.
94% of Americans have access to community paper recycling programs, and 79% of Americans have access to residential-curbside recycling programs.
The U.S. paper industry continues to demonstrate recycling leadership, voluntarily investing nearly $7 billion in projects from 2019 through 2025 to use approximately 9 million additional tons of recovered fiber.