Question
What percentage of paper actually gets recycled in the United States?
Answer
Paper is one of the most recovered materials in the United States, though the rate varies a lot by paper type. National recycling rates hover around 68%, held back mainly by contamination and uneven access to curbside programs in rural areas.
| Paper type | Recovery rate |
|---|---|
| Corrugated cardboard | Above 90% |
| National average (all paper) | ~68% |
| Mixed office paper | Lower |
| Coated print materials | Lower |
- Corrugated cardboard leads because it is bulky, clean, and easy to bale
- Coatings and laminations make recovery harder for glossy print pieces
- Choosing recyclable, lightly coated stock improves the odds a piece gets recycled
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