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Product Stewardship

Are Paper Cups Sustainable?

Paper cups are a sustainable choice and an important part of advancing sustainability goals. Paper cups are made from renewable resources and can be recycled at paper mills.

Solutions to Minnesota's Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act

Minnesota lawmakers are rushing to implement the Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act. We support and encourage Minnesota lawmakers to complete a needs assessment before considering an EPR program. This would help them reach their goals to improve their recycling system.

Why Statewide Needs Assessments Are Needed Before EPR

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.

2023 E-Commerce Graphic Empty Flatten Recycle

Download the 2023 e-commerce campaign graphic, "Recycling Boxes is Easy. Just Empty, Flatten, Recycle."

2023 E-Commerce Graphic Gift That Keeps on Giving

Download the 2023 e-commerce campaign graphic, "Paper Recycling: The Gift that Keeps on Giving."

U.S. Paper and Cardboard Recycling Rates Continue to Hold Strong in 2022

Paper and cardboard continue to be some of the most recycled materials in the United States. In 2022, the paper recycling rate was 67.9% and the cardboard recycling rate was 93.6%. Paper recycling is successful because of the millions of people who recycle and the paper industry’s ongoing…

U.S. Paper Industry Tallies High Recycling Rate in 2022

Nearly 68% of paper and more than 93% of cardboard consumed in the United States was recycled in 2022. Paper recycling rates have remained consistently high – meeting or exceeding 63% each year since 2009.

Where Recycled Paper Goes Graph

In 2022, nearly half of recycled paper went into making containerboard - the material used to make cardboard boxes.

Cardboard Recycling Graph

In 2022, 93.6% of cardboard boxes were recycled. Keep up the good work by breaking boxes down flat, keeping them dry and clean, and then put them in the bin. 

Paper Recycling Graph

In 2022, we recovered more than 50 million tons of paper for recycling and the paper recycling rate was nearly 68%.  

Paper Recycling Rate Graphic

Nearly 68% of paper was recycled in 2022. The recycling rate has met or exceeded 63% every year since 2009.

Cardboard Recycling Rate Graphic

93.6% of all cardboard boxes were recycled in 2022. The recycling rate for cardboard has exceeded 82% since 2009.