Paper Recycling Facts

Worldwide paper consumption is expected to double from 2010 to 2060, which means the amount of waste paper produced will likely increase at the same rate. Many businesses, households, and individuals still rely on paper and paper-based products despite a digital revolution. We throw away tons of paper every year across the world.

Discover how much paper people and businesses chuck out with these paper waste facts:

• Every year the USA generates between 80 and 100 million tons of paper waste
• About 26% of trash in landfills are paper waste and used paper products
• One third of municipal waste is discarded paper products
• Around half of all waste from businesses are paper materials
• American businesses generate 21 million tons of paper waste every year
• Schools in the US use up to 32 billion sheets of paper annually
• Offices in the US consume more than 12 trillion sheets of paper every year
• 42% of all global wood harvest is used to make paper
• 22 billion kilometres of toilet paper is consumed globally each year
• China consumes nearly a third of all paper produced worldwide
• Paper and pulp waste is the third-biggest industrial polluter of air, water, and soil

Cardboard is a vital material used mainly to package all sorts of goods and ship them safely around the world. After they arrive at their destination the cardboard quickly becomes trash, which is why recycling and disposing of old cardboard responsibly is important. Cardboard boxes are some of the most recycled items in the world.

Find out more with these cardboard recycling facts:

• Recycling cardboard saves 24% of energy compared to creating new cardboard
• 70% of corrugated cardboard is recovered and recycled
• More than 80 billion cardboard boxes are used in the US each year
• About 90% of products shipped across the US are packaged in corrugated cardboard
• Nine cubic yards of landfill space are spared by recycling one ton of cardboard
• Recycling one ton of cardboard saves:
  • 390 kWh of energy
  • 46 gallons of oil
  • 700 gallons of water
• It’s estimated that around 80% of retailers recycle cardboard waste
• 17 billion cardboard tubes are thrown away every year

It’s estimated that 487 billion disposable cups are sold around the world every year. The growing trend for takeout coffee and other drinks has spearheaded the increase in paper cup use globally. Many of these are made from paper but unfortunately, lots make their way to landfills even if they’re recyclable.

Discover more about their use and disposal with these paper cup recycling facts:

• 250 billion disposable cups sold worldwide are made from plastic-coated paper (94 billion are made from foam polystyrene)
• It’s estimated that 60 billion paper cups are thrown away in the USA every year
• Within coffee chains, less than 1% of paper cups are recycled internally
• The modern paper cup was invented in 1907 as a more hygienic alternative to communal water cups
• Paper cups lined with polylactic acid (PLA)– rather than polyethylene – can be commercially composted within 60 days
• There are around 40 paper mills across North America that recycle paper cups
• Many American cities accept paper cups in their recycling programs (including New York City, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Detroit)

Run an organization that creates lots of paper and cardboard waste? It could be an office, factory, store, or any other business. We can help your company separate and recycle your commercial paper and cardboard waste in a responsible and cost-effective way. Learn more about our paper recycling and cardboard recycling services.

If you’re ready to start, then get in touch with us today for your free no-obligation quote for paper and cardboard waste collection. Let us know your location, and rough estimates of the types and volumes of paper and/or cardboard you create for a bespoke quote. Call 888 584 2118 or contact us online today for your free quote.