Packaging

More than 33 million tons of cardboard was recycled in 2024. The cardboard recycling rate was 69% -74%.

Download AF&PA's handout explaining the 2025 paper and cardboard recycling rates.

In 2025, nearly half of recycled paper went into making containerboard — the material used to make cardboard boxes.

Paper recycling is a success. In 2025, the paper recycling rate was 61-65% and the cardboard recycling rate was 70-75%.

The 2025 cardboard recycling rate was 70% - 75%.

Grease and cheese in an amount typically found on pizza boxes are not an issue for the recycling process. 82% of Americans have access to a community recycling program that accepts pizza boxes.

Yes, paper gets recycled! Today, more than 2/3 of all paper recycled in the U.S. is turned into new products Americans rely on at mills nationwide.

In 2025, the U.S. recycled around 45 million tons of paper. The U.S. paper recycling rate was 61-65%, and the cardboard recycling rate was 70-75%. 

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in July increased 1% compared to July 2025. They were up 5% when compared to the same 7 months of 2025.

Total Boxboard production in Q2 increased by 2% compared to Q2 2025. The boxboard operating rate was 88.8%, down 0.6 points from the same quarter last year.

According to the report, the total industry operating rate increased to nearly 95% for the quarter compared to 93% for the preceding quarter. 

Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in June increased 2% compared to June 2025.