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.

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.

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 containerboard—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. 

How Much Paper Was Recycled in 2025? | AF&PA