The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced that 65-69% of paper available for recovery in the United States was recycled in 2023. That amounts to about 46 million tons of paper or 126,000 tons per day. The 2023 cardboard recycling rate was 71% – 76%, which amounts to nearly 33 million tons of cardboard being recycled or 90,000 tons per day. The rate incorporates all primary collection channels, including industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential, combined with a more extensive analysis of U.S. trade data. …The 2023 calculations show that paper remains one of the most highly recycled materials in America, with the industry recycling nearly 60% more paper today than it did in 1990 when initial recycling rate goals were established. “No matter how you measure it, paper recycling is an environmental success story,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock.