In 2025, the U.S. recycled around 45 million tons of paper. That’s 123,000 tons every day being turned into essential products American families and businesses rely on.
What Were the 2025 Paper and Cardboard Recycling Rates?
The U.S. paper recycling rate was 61-65%, and the cardboard recycling rate was 70-75%.
Paper recycling is one of the most successful recycling systems in America. Our industry voluntarily started setting its own paper recycling goals back in the early 1990s—and we’ve kept raising the bar ever since. Today, we recycle nearly 60% more paper than we did in 1990.
Where are Paper and Paper Packaging Collected for Recycling?
Paper and paper packaging are collected for recycling from multiple places, including:
- Residential: This includes curbside pick-up from single-family homes and townhouses, communal recycling collection at condo and apartment buildings, and drop-off recycling programs.
- Industrial: This includes collection from factories, gas and electrical plants, refineries and more.
- Commercial: This includes collection from retail like your grocery store and big box stores. It also includes businesses and office buildings.
- Institutional: This includes collection from places like hospitals, schools, colleges and universities.
What Does Your Paper and Cardboard Turn Into?
More than 2/3 of all paper recycled in the U.S. is turned into new products at mills nationwide. Here’s where it goes:
- Nearly half, or about 20 million tons, became container board—the material used to make cardboard boxes.
- About 29% was exported. Paper mills around the world rely on it to manufacture new products.
- The rest went on to make everyday essentials like cereal and medicine boxes, tissue products and printing papers.