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Paper Power

60% – 64% of paper and paper-based packaging in the U.S. is recycled. [1]

Paper is fundamental to a circular economy because it is made with wood fibers, which are renewable, recyclable, and sustainable. The U.S. forest products industry is the nation’s leading producer and user of renewable, carbon-neutral biomass energy. This bioenergy is produced by efficiently using leftover materials from the manufacturing process, such as bark and liquid biomass. [2]

The U.S. paper industry was among the first to take voluntary action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2020, U.S. paper companies had reduced GHG emissions (CO2 eq) per ton of product by 36% from a 2005 baseline.[3]

Since the early 1990s, the Canadian forest products sector has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 70%.1[4]

“The U.S. paper industry was among the first to take voluntary action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2025, U.S. paper companies had reduced GHG emissions (CO2 eq) per ton of product by 36% from a 2005 baseline.”

American Forest and Paper Association, 2025

“Since the early 1990s, the Canadian forest sector has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 70%.”

Natural Resources Canada, 2022

“In 2019, U.S. forests offset approximately 11% of the nation’s greenhouse gas (CO2-e) emissions.”

U.S. EPA Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gases and Sinks, 2020

Paper helps tackle climate change

After paper is recovered for recycling, it is sorted and graded to determine suitable end uses. The recovered paper is then mixed with water so that the fibers can be recovered. During this process, contaminants are removed, the fibers are cleaned and, if necessary, ink is removed. The resulting pulp may then be used to produce 100% recycled paper or mixed with virgin fiber, depending on the quality characteristics required of the end product.

Choosing paper and paper-based packaging is one way to help tackle climate change. Forests and forest products play a significant role in the global carbon cycle. The demand for sustainably sourced paper products provides a strong financial incentive for forest owners to manage their land responsibly and keep it forested instead of converting it to non-forest uses.

Sustainable forest management can prevent deforestation, maintain and enhance carbon sinks and can contribute towards GHG emissions-reduction goals. Sustainable forest management generates socio-economic benefits, and provides fibre, timber and biomass to meet society’s growing needs.[6]

  1. American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA), 2022
  2. Ibid AF&PA, 2022
  3. Ibid AF&PA, 2022
  4. Forest Products Association of Canada, 2022
  5. UN Food and Agriculture Organization, 2003
  6. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2019
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