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Product Stewardship

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

AF&PA announced 65-69% of paper available for recovery in the United States was recycled in 2023. The recycling rate for cardboard was 71-76%.

AF&PA Supports NY Legislature's Decision to Shelve and Improve EPR Proposal

The NY State Legislature ended its session without passing the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. The AF&PA supports recycling improvements but seeks provisions to protect paper and paper-based packaging recycling in future discussions.

Can Paper Bags Be Recycled?

Paper bags are widely accepted for recycling across the U.S. They are the only bags that are recyclable in curbside bins. This ease of recycling makes them a convenient choice.  

AF&PA Urges MN Governor Walz to Veto HF 3911

AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock urged Minnesota Governor Walz to veto HF 3911. 

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.

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.

How Does AF&PA Calculate Paper and Cardboard Recycling Rates?

More than two-thirds of the paper used in the U.S. is recycled and used to make new sustainable paper products people use every day. That’s more than 50 million tons of paper. To unpack the paper and cardboard recycling rates further, we turned to AF&PA’s Executive Director of Recovered Fiber…

Are Address Window Envelopes Recyclable?

Are address window envelopes recyclable? Yes! You don’t even have to remove the plastic window. During the repulping process, it gets filtered out.