DS Smith’s Reading, PA recycling infrastructure supports a circular system in the U.S., as American Forest & Paper Association trends point to increasing recycling rates over past years

Holiday gifting season ushers in a flurry of wrapping paper, present packages, and shipping boxes plus good news that Americans are recycling these materials more than ever, according to industry trends bolstered by global leader in sustainable fiber-based packaging DS Smith’s circular infrastructure.

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As paper recycling continues to increase, DS Smith encourages consumers to recycle holiday gift wrapping. (Photo: Business Wire)

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced 65-69% of paper available for recovery in the United States was recycled last year. According to AF&PA, 2023 calculations show paper remains one of the most highly recycled materials in America, with the industry recycling nearly 60% more today than it did in 1990 when recycling rate goals were first established.

DS Smith has been paving the way for growth in recycling programs in North America, with its flagship Reading, Pa. facility capable of recycling more than 36,000 tons of used corrugated cardboard each year. The company works with a variety of organizations such as distribution centers, packaging facilities, retailers, and print shops to recover paper for recycling. The company’s process allows for corrugated packaging to be produced, used, collected, and recycled back into corrugated boxes within a cycle of 14 days. This process reduces the amount of fiber used in its boxes by 30%.

“DS Smith’s commitment to sustainability and a circular business model is helping take many of the paper and paper packaging products used during the holidays and throughout the year and to unlock value and recover these elements for continued use,” said Keith Tornes, DS Smith’s Managing Director, Paper & Recycling, North America. We trust the findings from AF&PA point to continued consumer and industry shifts and validate our continued investment and efforts to recover and recycle more paper and paper packaging products.”

Consumers are encouraged during the most wonderful time of the year to make a list and check it twice with a few tips for a sustainable Christmas holiday with more recycling and less waste. Using wrapping paper to gift holiday surprises? Make sure your wrapping paper is recyclable, if it can be scrunched up into a ball, and stays scrunched up, then it is fine to put it into your recycling bins. And nothing shows the planet more love than the message of Merry Christmas with a sustainable card –now that’s how you spread holiday cheer. Things that won’t make the nice list of recyclables: tape, sticky labels, decorated boxes with components like glitter, Christmas ribbon, Christmas crackers, and even your Christmas tree. Check with your local organizations offering recycling services post-Christmas for pick up or drop off options to make use of a great way to clear out after the holiday festivities and remain sustainable.

Per AF&PA the most recently published recycling rates are calculated as the amount of paper recycled as a share of the amount of paper available for recovery. Through the updated methodology, AF&PA has improved estimates of net imported product packaging using more detailed trade data and better estimates of packaging dimensions based on industry data and expertise. Additionally, the organization has deducted an estimate of materials in recovered paper bales that are not used in manufacturing (e.g., paper not suitable for use in the specific grade; non-paper materials; net moisture).

About DS Smith:

DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable fiber-based packaging worldwide, which is supported by recycling and papermaking operations. It plays a central role in the value chain across sectors including e-commerce, fast-moving consumer goods and industrials.

Through its purpose of ‘Redefining Packaging for a Changing World’ and its Now& Next sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading the transition to the circular economy, while delivering more circular solutions for its customers and wider society – replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains and providing innovative recycling solutions. Its bespoke box-to-box in 14 days model, design capabilities and innovation strategy sit at the heart of this response.

Headquartered in London and a member of the FTSE 100, DS Smith operates in 34 countries employing around 30,000 people and is a Strategic Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Its history can be traced back to the box-making businesses started in the 1940s by the Smith family. www.dssmith.com

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