How to Recycle Paper
Paper recycles at 60-64% and cardboard at 69-74% in the US (2024, AF&PA) - about 125,000 tons of paper and 90,000 tons of cardboard recovered every day. Grease on a pizza box and a plastic envelope window are rarely the problem; wet, soaked paper is.
Cardboard
Newspapers
Office Paper
Magazines
Phone Books
Paper Bags
Junk Mail
Wrapping Paper
Paperboard
Shredded Paper
Find paper recycling centers
Browse recycling listings for paper, then contact a facility to confirm what it accepts.
Complete Paper Recycling Guide
Paper Recycling Success Story
Paper achieves 65-68% recycling rate in the US - one of the highest for any material.125,000 tons of paper is recycled daily. Paper can be recycled 5-7 times before fibers become too short for reuse.
- • Cardboard: 96% of boxes are recycled - highest rate
- • Office paper: High-quality, easily recyclable
- • Newspaper: Becomes new newsprint, tissue, insulation
- • Mixed paper: Lower grade but still valuable
Environmental Impact
Recycling paper uses 60% less energy than making new paper from trees. One ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and 4,100 kWh of electricity.
What it avoids:
- • Prevents deforestation - saves 17 trees per ton recycled
- • Reduces landfill methane - paper is 26% of landfills
- • Saves 7,000 gallons of water per ton recycled
- • Creates 9 jobs for every 15,000 tons recycled vs. 1 for landfilling
Paper Recycling FAQ
Can I recycle greasy pizza boxes?
Remove heavily greased sections, but lightly stained cardboard is fine! Modern recycling handles small amounts of grease. When in doubt, tear off clean parts for recycling, compost greasy parts.
Do I need to remove tape and staples?
No! Recycling facilities use screens and magnets to remove staples automatically. Small amounts of tape won't contaminate batches. Remove excessive packing tape, but don't worry about envelope windows or labels.
Should I shred paper before recycling?
Only for security (financial docs, personal info). Shredded paper has shorter fibers and lower value. Some facilities won't accept it. If you must shred, bag it separately or check local requirements.
What paper products can't be recycled?
NEVER recycle: wax-coated paper, thermal receipts, napkins/paper towels (compost instead), tissue paper, carbon paper, sticker backing, or photos. Contamination ruins entire recycling batches.
Can glossy magazines and catalogs be recycled?
YES! Glossy paper is highly recyclable. The coating is removed during pulping. Magazines, catalogs, brochures, and coated cardboard are all accepted. They become paperboard, tissue, and lower-grade paper.
Why do we still recycle paper if trees are renewable?
Trees take 10-30 years to grow. Recycling saves water (60% less), energy (65% less), and prevents deforestation. Old-growth forests lost to paper production take centuries to replace. Recycling is faster and cleaner.