The American Forest & Paper Association has released its annual analysis of fiber recycling rates. The figures for 2025 are roughly flat compared with the prior year.
AF&PA estimates the 2025 paper recycling rate was between 61% and 65%, up from 60% to 64% in 2024. The cardboard recycling rate was estimated to be 70% to 75%, compared with 69% to 74% the prior year.
U.S. mills consumed 31.4 million tons of recycled paper to manufacture new products in 2025, a year-over-year decrease of 1.3 million tons. Mills’ consumption had increased by 1.29 million tons the prior year.
“Containerboard capacity adjustments demonstrate the industry adapting to shifting global market and operational strategies,” said Abigail Sztein, executive director of recovered fiber at AF&PA. Total paper and paperboard operating rates increased to 89.4% in 2025, up from 88.1% in 2024, she said.
Despite market dynamics that led to decreased fiber production last year, paper recovery remained strong relative to the available supply, according to AF&PA.
“Our industry shows continued resilience. The paper industry operates at a significant scale, and it’s adapting to changing market conditions,” Sztein said. “The rate shows that the paper recycling system is functioning as designed, and the system held steady.”
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