The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced that the U.S. paper recycling rate for 2023 was between 65% and 69%, based on an updated methodology that reflects shifts in trade and industry practices.
The revised approach incorporates comprehensive industry data, expert insights, and detailed trade statistics, offering a clearer picture of paper recycling in the U.S. The new calculation also highlighted the long-term progress of the sector, with nearly 60% more paper being recycled today compared to 1990, when the industry first set recycling rate goals.
“Paper recycling is an environmental success story”, said AF&PA president and CEO Heidi Brock. “We are a fact-based, data-driven organization, and our updated recycling rate methodology represents the most thorough recycling rate possible using all currently available data. This updated methodology, which calculates the amount of paper recycled as a share of the amount of all paper for recovery, reflects our commitment to utilize the best data available to support industry investments and guide our efforts to recover and recycle more paper and paper packaging products”.
CARDBOARD RECYCLING RATE
In 2023, the recycling rate for cardboard ranged from 71% to 76%, accounting for materials collected through industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential channels. This figure also benefited from a more detailed analysis of trade data, enhancing the accuracy of the calculation.
METHODOLOGY UPDATES
To address evolving global economic conditions and trade flows, AF&PA revised its methodology for estimating packaging imports and exports as part of its recycling rate calculations. Key updates include:
- Enhanced estimates of net imported product packaging using more detailed trade data and improved dimensions based on industry expertise.
- Adjustments for non-manufacturable materials in recovered paper bales, such as unsuitable paper, non-paper content, and net moisture.
- Refinements to account for cardboard and other paper-based consumer packaging in different commodity bales.
- Introduction of a range-based recycling rate to acknowledge that certain calculations rely on estimates.
- The updated methodology underwent a review by an independent third-party to ensure accuracy and reliability.
INDUSTRY INVESTMENT
Since 2019, the paper industry has initiated or completed projects to utilize more than 9 million tons of recycled paper. These efforts include constructing new mills, expanding or converting existing facilities, and upgrading machinery.
“This updated methodology will direct our industry’s efforts to capture even more paper for use in manufacturing new products”, Brock stated. “We look forward to working with key decisionmakers and stakeholders to develop policies that support this goal and improve education about recycling best practices to increase consumer participation”.
