Packaging / Advertising & Office

On May 19, the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) announced that the U.S. paper recycling rate will reach 65.7% in 2020. It is reported that the U.S. paper has maintained a high recovery rate for ten years. Since 2009, the U.S. paper recycling rate has exceeded 63%, almost twice the 1990 rate.

In 2020, the consumption of old corrugated boxes (OCC) in American factories reached 22.8 million tons, setting a new record. At the same time, the recovery rate of OCC is 88.8%, and the three-year average is 92.4%.

Heidi Brock, President and CEO of the American Forest and Paper Association, said: "In this year under the background of the new crown epidemic, nearly two-thirds of the paper was recycled and converted into sustainable new paper products. We The industry’s resilience and commitment are remarkable, and consumer participation in the paper recycling process is also very important, so it has been able to maintain such a high paper recycling rate."

Waste paper recycling can help extend the life of fibers, create new and sustainable paper-based packaging products, and promote the development of a circular economy.

Brock said: "The U.S. paper industry plays a vital role in the success of paper recycling. From 2019 to 2023, we planned and implemented US$4.1 billion in manufacturing infrastructure investment to facilitate the integration of our products. Making the best use of recycled fibers, our industry leadership remains strong."

The American Forest and Paper Association promotes the sustainable development of American pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing through fact-based public policies and marketing campaigns. The member companies of the American Forest and Paper Association use renewable and recyclable resources to produce products that are essential in daily life, and are committed to continuous improvement and better practice through the industry's sustainable development plan.

The forest products industry accounts for about 4% of the total GDP of the US manufacturing industry, manufactures about 300 billion U.S. dollars of products every year, and employs nearly 950,000 employees. The total annual wages in this industry are about 55 billion U.S. dollars, making it one of the top ten manufacturing employers in 45 states.