The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced its annual paper recycling rates, with 60%–64% of paper and 69%–74%of cardboard available for recovery being recycled in the United States in 2024.
Paper continues to be one of the highest recycled materials in America, supported by successful recycling systems throughout the country. In 2024 alone, 46 million tons of paper was recycled in the U.S., which equates to 125,000 tons of recycled paper being turned into new, essential products like cardboard boxes, paper packaging, and toilet paper every day.
U.S. mills used 1.29 million more tons of recycled paper to make new products in 2024 – that’s 32.7 million tons compared to 31.3 million tons in 2023.
Recycled paper share of all fiber used at U.S. mills has steadily increased in the last 20 years, from 36.6% in 2005 to 37.7% in 2015 to 44.4% in 2024.
In 2024, there was a 13.5% increase in net containers entering the U.S. More goods with paper-based packaging were imported in 2024 than 2023, which increased the amount of paper available for recycling.
While U.S. mills consumed more recycled paper in 2024 compared to 2023, the U.S. exported less recycled paper in 2024, primarily due to decreased demand from Asia.
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day.
