Paper

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 11% in December compared to December 2024 and 8% on a year‑to‑date basis.

Yes! Envelopes made of paper, including those with plastic address windows, are recyclable.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper year‑to‑date shipments decreased 8% in November compared to November 2024, yet the YTD operating rate is nearly 4 points higher in 2025 compared to 2024.

Total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 14% in October compared to October 2024. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 2% when compared to September 2025.

Yes, birthday cards and envelopes made of paper are usually okay to recycle.

Total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 8% in July compared to July 2024.

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.

In 2024, around 46 million tons of paper was recycled. The paper recycling rate was 60%-64% and the cardboard recycling rate was 69%-74%.

In 2024, nearly half of recycled paper went into making containerboard — the material used to make cardboard boxes.

In 2024, the paper recycling rate was 60% - 64%. 

Paper recycling is a success. In 2024, the paper recycling rate was 60-64% and the cardboard recycling rate was 69-74%.