Infographic

In 2020, AF&PA member purchased energy use per ton of product was 13.3% lower than the 2005 baseline year. This surpasses the Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goal which was set to achieve at least a 10% improvement in members’ purchased energy efficiency from 2005 to 2020…

The 2021 AF&PA Access to Recycling Study found many items which are widely accepted. 60% or more of consumers have access to community recycling programs that accept these materials.

The 2021 AF&PA Access to Recycling Study found 82% of the U.S. population has access to a community recycling program that accepts pizza boxes.  

The 2021 AF&PA Access to Recycling Study found 94% of Americans have access to a community paper recycling program.  

The 2021 AF&PA Access to Recycling Study found 79% of Americans have access to residential-curbside recycling programs- an increase of more than 14 million people since our 2014 study.

Brown paper packages arriving on doorsteps should be recycled. This is version 2 for the holiday recycling set.

Brown paper packages arriving on doorsteps should be recycled. This is version 1 for the holiday recycling set.

We encourage communities to update their residential recycling programs’ guidelines to explicitly accept pizza boxes that are free of food.

A promo teaser graphic for AF&PA's recycling video that explains how paper recycling actually works.

From the replanting of trees that supply fiber and enhance the environment to recycling paper and packaging that is turned into new products, our industry is contributing to a more sustainable future. AF&PA member company contributions to a circular value chain are reflected in green.

Each year the U.S. and Canada grow significantly more wood than is harvested. 

Nearly 90% of paper towel manufacturers use recycled fiber to make new paper towel products.