Recycling

Tips to recycle your paper and packaging during the holiday season.

Yes, pizza boxes are recyclable. A study found that typical amounts of grease and cheese on pizza boxes are not a problem for paper mills. 

The Voluntary Standard is an industry-supported set of test protocols to evaluate the repulpability and recyclability of coated or treated corrugated board and its equivalents (OCC-e).

Good news! You don't need to remove tape from a cardboard box. Tape and shipping labels do not interfere with the recycling process. 

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

Yes! Tissue boxes are recyclable. Flatten the box and then place it in your recycling bin. 

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%.

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. 

Yes, post-it notes are recyclable by paper mills! It’s best to attach them to printer paper, mail, magazines, or other larger paper items and place them in your recycling bin

AF&PA applauds Maine Governor Janet Mills and state lawmakers for advancing LD 1423, which makes much needed improvements to the state’s EPR policy.