According to foreign media reports, the American forestry and Paper Association (AF & PA) released the preliminary data of American paper mills and paperboard mills in 2021. The data showed that the total output of carton board in the United States in 2021 increased by 5.6% compared with that in 2020, the ninth increase in the past 10 years. At the same time, it set a new record for the output of carton board in the United States.

“Paper products and materials like cardboard can help meet consumers’ demand for sustainable choices,” said Heidi Brock, President and CEO of AF & Pa. “these are some of the most recycled materials in the United States – in fact, by weight, more paper is recovered from urban waste streams than plastic, glass, steel and aluminum combined.”

According to this information, the consumption of old corrugated box (OCC) may also reach a record figure. The consumption of OCC is closely related to the production of carton board paper. As of November 2021, the consumption has reached 22.2 million tons, slightly lower than the annual record set in 2020.

“Consumer demand for sustainable paper products is growing, and our industry is investing to meet the changing needs of customers and consumers,” Brock said. “AF & PA members are committed to promoting the circular economy and our common commitment to sustainable development, as demonstrated by our better practices and better planet 2030 goals.”

The paper recovery rate in the United States has increased over time and has remained at a high level, reaching or exceeding 63% since 2009. In 2020, nearly 66% of the paper will be recycled.

The U.S. paper industry has completed or announced about $5 billion in manufacturing infrastructure investment from 2019 to 2023 to continue to use recycled fibers in products as much as possible. These investments will help increase the amount of recycled paper used by U.S. paper and paperboard mills by about 8 million tons – 25% more than in 2020.