In recent years, paper and packaging companies have significantly increased their use of recycled content, with 25 new projects announced since 2017, according to the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC). This surge in demand for recycled materials, particularly old corrugated containers (OCC) and mixed paper, has been driven by the rise of e-commerce and China’s ban on importing recycled paper.

NERC reports that these projects could utilize over 8 million tons of OCC and mixed paper. However, as new, more efficient mills come online, older, costlier facilities are often shut down. The majority of the new capacity focuses on producing linerboard and corrugated materials using recycled cardboard.

While OCC prices have risen steadily due to increased demand, experts believe that U.S. paper mills will still balance using both recycled and virgin materials to meet quality standards. Nonetheless, the growing focus on recycling offers small businesses in the cardboard recycling space opportunities to thrive as companies invest in more sustainable practices.

As the demand for recycled cardboard continues to grow, small recycling businesses can capitalize on this trend, especially with new facilities like Total Fiber Recovery’s pulping plant and Graphic Packaging’s $1 billion paperboard mill set to increase future capacity.  Call Greene Recycling today to schedule your cardboard bale pickup!