Investing in and improving paper recycling has been an industry priority for decades. Download AF&PA's handout explaining our efforts to capture even more paper from the waste stream for recycling.
60%-64% of paper and 69%-74% of cardboard available for recovery were recycled in the United States in 2024. U.S. mills consumed more recycled paper in 2024 compared to 2023 while exports decreased.
We explain Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programs, the role of the paper industry in EPR, our industry's investment to improve paper recycling and our recommendations for EPR programs.
Total Boxboard production in Q2 remained essentially flat compared to Q2 2024. The boxboard operating rate was 87.6%, down 1.8 points from the same quarter last year.
According to the report, total Containerboard production in Q2 decreased 5% compared to Q2 2024. It was down 3% when compared to the same 6 months of 2024.
Total packaging papers & specialty packaging shipments in June increased 5% compared to June 2024. They were down 2% when compared to the same 6 months of 2024.
Paperboard is a strong, lightweight packaging material made from wood pulp or recycled paper pulp. Paperboard is used to package things like cereal and medicine boxes.
AF&PA and FBA announced an update to their “Voluntary Standard For Repulping and Recycling Coated or Treated Corrugated Fiberboard and its Equivalents in the Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) Recycling Stream.”
