The recovery of corrugated packaging reached 96 percent in 2018

Itasca, Ill. – The corrugated packaging industry has released a new video in celebration of America Recycles Day. The video celebrates the everyday delivery of corrugated cardboard packaging to consumers’ homes, takes viewers inside a box plant to show how boxes are made, and encourages consumers’ role in the recycling process.

Find the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_FDYLHuF8AI 

The video begins with the words, “Something extraordinary happens every day…” and brings viewers’ attention to the feeling they get when receiving corrugated cardboard packages. That same feeling extends to the corrugated box. Each day, corrugated boxmakers responsibly manufacture packaging made from a renewable resource that once used, can and should be recycled.

“At a time when the recycling of materials is being questioned, we believe it’s more important than ever to remind consumers about the recycling success story of corrugated packaging,” said Rachel Kenyon, vice president of the Fibre Box Association. “The recycling of corrugated packaging is miles ahead of any other packaging material and the industry’s prolonged and focused effort on recovery and reuse should make consumers feel good about the boxes being delivered to their doorsteps.”

In 2018, the recovery rate for old corrugated containers (OCC) reached 96 percent, driven by a nearly 30 percent surge in net exports and a domestic mill consumption increase of 2.8 percent, according to the American Forest & Paper Association.

Recovered corrugated boxes are used to make new paper products. More than 50 percent of OCC recovered in 2018 was used to make new containerboard for more corrugated boxes. An additional 10.4 percent was used to make boxboard for primary packaging like cereal boxes and more than 34 percent was exported.

The video follows the October introduction of a new look and feel for the corrugated industry’s promotion program which aims to raise awareness and elevate appreciation for the humble corrugated cardboard box and its role in everyday life.

To view the updated promotion materials, please visit http://www.boxesareextroardinary.com, and follow the corrugated industry on Twitter at @corrugatedpkg.