Paper Industry Announces 2023 U.S. Paper Recycling Rates Using Updated Methodology

Nov. 14, 2024 - The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced that 65-69% of paper available for recovery in the United States was recycled in 2023. That amounts to about 46 million tons of paper or 126,000 tons per day.

The 2023 cardboard recycling rate was 71% - 76%, which amounts to nearly 33 million tons of cardboard being recycled or 90,000 tons per day. The rate incorporates all primary collection channels, including industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential, combined with a more extensive analysis of U.S. trade data.

The 2023 paper recycling rate is the first using AF&PA's updated methodology, which utilizes extensive industry data, subject matter expertise and detailed U.S. trade data to account for the continued shift of the U.S. balance of trade towards imports.

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

The 2023 calculations show that paper remains one of the most highly recycled materials in America, with the industry recycling nearly 60% more paper today than it did in 1990 when initial recycling rate goals were established.

"No matter how you measure it, paper recycling is an environmental success story," said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock.

"We are a fact-based, data-driven organization, and our updated recycling rate methodology represents the most thorough recycling rate possible using all currently available data.

"This updated methodology, which calculates the amount of paper recycled as a share of the amount of all paper for recovery, reflects our commitment to utilize the best data available to support industry investments and guide our efforts to recover and recycle more paper and paper packaging products."

Updated Methodology

To reflect continuously evolving global economic, supply chain, and trade flows, AF&PA updated its recycling rate methodology for estimating product packaging imports/exports as part of the cardboard recycling rate calculations, resulting in the most thorough and fact-based recycling rate possible with currently available data.

The new recycling rate is calculated as the amount of paper recycled as a share of the amount of paper available for recovery. Through the updated methodology, AF&PA has:

• Improved estimates of net imported product packaging using more detailed trade data and better estimates of packaging dimensions based on industry data and expertise.
• Deducted an estimate of materials in recovered paper bales that are not used in manufacturing (e.g., paper not suitable for use in the specific grade; non-paper materials; net moisture).
• In the cardboard recycling rate calculation, made adjustments for cardboard and other paper-based consumer packaging in different commodity bales.
• Provided our rates as a range to acknowledge aspects of the calculations are based on estimates.
• As a process step, enlisted an independent, third-party reviewer to examine its methodology and findings to ensure their rigor and validity.

Paper Industry Investment

Since 2019, our industry has announced or is expected to complete projects by 2025 that will use more than 9 million tons of recycled paper. These projects include building new mills, converting or expanding existing mills, and updating machinery and equipment.

"This updated methodology will direct our industry's efforts to capture even more paper for use in manufacturing new products," Brock noted.

"We look forward to working with key decisionmakers and stakeholders to develop policies that support this goal and improve education about recycling best practices to increase consumer participation."

About AF&PA

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recycle resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry's sustainability initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future.

The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures about $350 billion in products annually and employs about 925,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of about $65 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 43 states.

SOURCE: AF&PA