The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) reports that approximately 46 million tons of paper were recycled in the United States in 2024 — the equivalent of 125,000 tons each day.
This resulted in a paper recycling rate of 60% to 64% and a cardboard recycling rate of 69% to 74%.
Recycling volumes have grown significantly over the past 35 years, with the paper industry now recycling nearly 60% more paper than it did in the late 1980s. AF&PA noted that around 80% of U.S. paper mills use recycled paper in their production processes, and in 2024 they increased their use by 1.3 million tons compared to 2023. Cardboard use also rose, with mills using 1.2 million more tons year over year.
Nearly half of the paper recycled domestically — about 20.8 million tons — was converted into containerboard, the material used to produce cardboard boxes. About 27% of recycled paper was exported to mills abroad, with the remainder used in the U.S. to make packaging, tissue products, and printing papers.
Paper recycling starts in offices, schools, retailers, and households before materials are collected and processed for reuse. AF&PA said the continued growth of recycling supports both domestic manufacturing and global trade in paper products.
The American Forest & Paper Association represents U.S. manufacturers of pulp, paper, tissue, and paper-based packaging, advocating for trade, economic competitiveness, and sustainable forest management.
