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.
