In 1996, more than 60% of all newspapers, 70% of corrugated containers and 38% of office papers have been recovered nationally for recycling. Unfortunately, paper cannot be recycled indefinitely. As used paper is recycled, the paper's cellulose fiber deteriorates and eventually is no longer recyclable.

Still, more than one-third of all the recovered paper and paperboard in the world is recovered in the U.S. In 1996, recovered paper provided just over 37% of all the raw material used at U.S. mills