In 2012, 91 percent (29 million tons) of the corrugated packaging used in the U.S. was successfully recovered for recycling, maintaining its top position as the most-recycled packaging material.

Recovery for recycling has increased steadily since 1993, when 54.5 percent of old corrugated containers (OCC) was recycled. Recovery is also helped by the widespread access to community paper and paper-based packaging recycling programs. According to the American Forest & Paper Association's Community Survey, 87 percent (268 million) of the U.S. population have access to curbside or drop-off recycling programs.

MOST OCC IS USED TO MAKE NEW PAPER PRODUCTS
Of the 91 percent of corrugated that was recovered in 2012, more than 50 percent was used to make new containerboard. An additional 12 percent was used to make recycled paperboard and more than 34 percent was exported.

Where OCC Goes

	000 tons	%
Containerboard	14,588	50.1
Recycled Paperboard	3,510	12.0
Packaging & Industrial	484	1.7
Tissue	224	0.9
Newsprint	0	0
Other	251	0.9
Net Exports	10,007	34.6
Total	29,134	100

Source: AF&PA

CORRUGATED AND THE OTHER PAPER-BASED PACKAGING INDUSTRIES SET THE STANDARD FOR RECOVERY
According to the most recent data available from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, Municipal Solid Waste in the United States; 2010 Facts and Figures, the corrugated and paper-based packaging industries set the standard for recovering products from the solid waste management stream.

The table below reflects data drawn from the EPA report and compares recovery rates for several major packaging materials. The data show that corrugated and paper-based packaging have the highest recovery rates among these major commodities.

Packaging Category	Recovery Rates (2010)	Percent change in discarded tonnage (1990-2010)
Corrugated	85%	-65%
Paper-Based Packaging	71.3%	-47%
Aluminum	35.8%	+37%
Glass	33.4%	-32%
Plastics	13.5%	+78%

Source: Municipal Solid Waste in the United States; 2010 Facts and Figures

The corrugated industry continues to support the increased OCC recovery for recycling by:

• Modernizing equipment and technology so that OCC can be used at the manufacturing facilities.
• Supporting business, community, and school recycling programs.
• Developing a repulpability/recyclability standard protocol for corrugated boxes treated for moisture resistance.

The Corrugated Packaging Alliance (CPA) is a corrugated industry initiative, jointly sponsored by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC), the Fibre Box Association (FBA) and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). Its mission is to foster growth and profitability of corrugated in applications where it can be demonstrated, based on credible and persuasive evidence, that corrugated should be the packaging material of choice; and to provide a coordinated industry focus that effectively acts on industry matters that cannot be accomplished by individual members. CPA members include corrugated manufacturers and converters throughout North America.

For more information about paper and corrugated recycling, visit www.paperrecycles.org. For information about corrugated packaging's life-cycle studies and sustainability, visit www.corrugated.org.