Tissue

Where Recycled Paper Goes Graph

superuser — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Where Recycled Paper Goes Graph

superuser Thu, 11/14/2024 - 12:00

In 2023, nearly half of recycled paper went into making containerboard — the material used to make cardboard boxes.

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AF&PA Addresses Concerns Over Toilet Paper Shortages Amid Port Strike

CCozort — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 18:45:36 +0000

AF&PA Addresses Concerns Over Toilet Paper Shortages Amid Port Strike

CCozort Thu, 10/03/2024 - 14:45

WASHINGTON - The American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Heidi Brock released the following statement regarding concern around toilet paper shortages in the U.S.:

“The American Forest & Paper Association is aware of reports of toilet paper shortages, which some have attributed to the current port strike. While we continue to urge the ILA and USMX to quickly bring an end to this strike to restore our members’ access to export their products, we would like to stress we are not aware of any expected impact to tissue product delivery in the U.S.

“Approximately 85% of tissue paper demand (which includes toilet paper, paper towels, napkins and facial tissue) in the U.S. is supplied by U.S. tissue producers.

“Rest assured, tissue products are being manufactured and shipped – just as they are 52 weeks each year.

"AF&PA members will continue to manufacture these essential products in the U.S and utilize rail and truck to ensure they reach shelves across the U.S.”

Press Release

Business Impact

Tissue

Are Toilet Paper and Paper Towels Sustainable?

SManger — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 15:44:46 +0000

Are Toilet Paper and Paper Towels Sustainable?

SManger Fri, 08/09/2024 - 11:44

Why Toilet Paper and Paper Towels are a Responsible Choice

Key Takeaways

Our industry uses wood that is unsuitable for building materials and recycled paper to make toilet paper and paper towels. Making these products is a lot like following a recipe. Recycled paper and wood pulp help manufacturers deliver different qualities. U.S. tissue manufacturers need to balance using fresh wood pulp and recycled paper for a few reasons.

Toilet paper and paper towels are common staples in the home. Millions of people across the U.S. rely on paper products. Our industry prioritizes sustainable manufacturing and practices.

Below we answer common questions about toilet paper and paper towels. Dive in and explore why they are a responsible choice.

How are Toilet Paper and Paper Towels Made in the U.S.?

The U.S. tissue industry uses 2 primary inputs to make toilet paper and paper towels.

Wood

We take wood sourcing seriously.

Our members use wood that’s not suitable for building materials. This includes:

Branches
Tree tops
Stumps
Bark
Wood byproducts from sawmills

These wood materials come from sustainably managed working forests where trees are replanted.

AF&PA members adhere to sustainable fiber procurement principles. In fact, it’s a condition of membership. Procurement is how our members source the wood pulp materials they need to make the products people rely on.

These principles assure our members their suppliers are committed to sustainable forest management and harvesting practices.

Recycled Paper

3.9 M Tons

of recycled paper used in 2023

More than 90% of U.S. tissue manufacturers use recycled paper to make their products.

The recycled paper can go directly into the paper towel or toilet paper. It is also often used in packaging like the paperboard tubes these products are wrapped around.

In 2023, tissue producers used about 3.9 million tons of recycled paper. According to Fisher International, North American tissue manufacturers use more recycled paper in their products than those made in Europe and Asia.

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Is it Better to Use Recycled Paper or Wood to Make Paper Towels and Toilet Paper?

It depends on customer preferences. Recycled paper and wood pulp help paper towel and toilet paper manufacturers deliver different qualities such as

Absorbency
Strength
Versatility
Durability

Softness
Recycled content
Budget

Each of these qualities has different requirements. It’s a lot like following a recipe. Recycled paper and wood pulp have different properties that alter the final product. Similar to how different types of flour affect the outcome of a baked good.

U.S. paper towel and toilet paper manufacturers adjust the inputs they use based on what qualities they’re trying to create to meet customer demand. This gives customers multiple options so they can choose what works best for them.

Can U.S. Tissue Producers Use Only Recycled Paper to Make Paper Towels and Toilet?

U.S. paper towel manufacturers need to balance using both fresh wood pulp and recycled paper for a few reasons:

Limited Resources

The amount and type of recycled paper to make toilet paper and paper towels is limited. If the U.S. paper industry used only recycled paper to make all our products, including packaging, paper, pulp and tissue, we would run out in about 7 months.

During the recycling process, the fibers that makeup paper pulp get shorter and weaker. Eventually, they can no longer be used, and fresh wood pulp is needed.

Market Dynamics

The type of recycled paper primarily used in tissue products is mixed office paper. The amount of available mixed office paper is going down, which affects how much tissue producers can use.

Also, most of the available recycled paper manufacturers can use is from brown packaging. This is not appropriate for making white paper towels, toilet paper or other tissue products.

Like a recipe, manufacturers have to use the right mix of ingredients to make their products.

Meeting Customer Preferences

Recycled paper and fresh wood pulp produce paper towels and toilet paper with different qualities. Certain characteristics can only be achieved using fresh wood pulp.

Does Using Paper Towels and Toilet Paper Cause Deforestation?

No. The U.S. pulp and paper industry, which includes paper towel producers, is not linked to global deforestation.

U.S. forest managers have kept U.S. forestland stable since the 1950s through planting and natural regeneration. Today:

1/3 of the U.S. is forested.
The net forest area in the U.S. has increased steadily in the past 30 years.
More than 1 billion trees are planted in the U.S. each year.

Our industry uses trees from managed, working forests. These forests are continuously replanted, ensuring a healthy balance for the future.

Foresters, biologists, conservationists and other professionals work together to ensure there are healthy forests for years to come.

How Does the Paper Industry Prioritize Sustainability?

Sustainable practices are the foundation of our industry.

In 2011, AF&PA was one of the first manufacturing industries to set quantifiable sustainability goals. AF&PA members met or exceeded many of those goals.

Our members are leading the way towards a more sustainable future with 5 quantifiable sustainability goals they aim to achieve by 2030.

These commitments are about taking action. Our members are continually innovating to:

Improve water management
Reduce emissions
Enhance wildlife habitats
Capture more recycled material

Discover what sustainability in action looks like in the paper industry.

Download MIT Case Study

We developed a case study with MIT looking at what happens if tissue producers used 10% more recycled paper when making products.

Download the Case Study

Advancing Resilient U.S. Forests

AF&PA members have a 2030 sustainability goal to advance resilient U.S. forests. Explore what we’re aiming to accomplish.

Virtual Forest Tour

Want to see how working forests operate? Do a virtual forest walk through with Georgia-Pacific.

Benefits of Managed Forests

Explore how managed forests store carbon.

Industry Explainer

Marketplace Sustainability

Sustainable Forestry

Tissue

AF&PA Details U.S. Paper Production and Capacity Trends

CCozort — Fri, 17 May 2024 19:02:10 +0000

AF&PA Details U.S. Paper Production and Capacity Trends

CCozort Fri, 05/17/2024 - 15:02

Release of the 64th Paper Industry Capacity and Fiber Consumption Survey

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today released the 64th Paper Industry Annual Capacity and Fiber Consumption Survey. The report provides detailed data on U.S. paper industry capacity and production compiled by the AF&PA statistics team.

U.S. paper and paperboard capacity declined by 1.6% in 2023, to 79.7 million tons. That compares to an average decline of 0.9% per year since 2014.

U.S. paper and paperboard production declined 7.2% last year, with declines in all categories except tissue.

U.S. Paper-Based Packaging Capacity

Four machines totaling 2.1 million tons of containerboard and packaging paper capacity started up during 2023, all using 100 percent recycled fiber. However, more than 1.7 million tons of capacity, mostly using wood fiber, was permanently removed in 2023 as the industry faced demand weakness from customer destocking and economic headwinds.

Containerboard capacity declined 0.7% in 2023. Despite consecutive declines in 2022 and 2023, containerboard capacity is at near-record levels due to 11 consecutive years of growth averaging 1.6% from 2011 to 2021.Containerboard share of total paper and paperboard capacity has exceeded 50% since 2021.

Packaging paper capacity increased 4.8%. All of the growth came in unbleached packaging papers. Meanwhile, boxboard capacity declined 2.0% percent in 2023. There have been 2 announcements of plans to add boxboard capacity in 2025 to meet demand for paper-based consumer packaging.

U.S. Printing-Writing and Tissue Capacity

Printing-writing capacity dropped 5.0% in 2023, lower than the 3-year and 10-year trend of 7.1% and 6.9% declines, respectively. This brings printing-writing capacity below 10 million tons for the first time in more than 50 years. Printing-writing capacity accounted for just 12% of total paper and paperboard capacity in 2023, down from 28% in 2000 when electronic communication became widespread.

Tissue capacity declined 0.9% in 2023. In spite of two consecutive year-over-year declines, tissue capacity has now increased at an average annual rate of 0.4% from 2014 to 2023.

What is Capacity?

Capacity is the tonnage of paper, paperboard or pulp that could be produced with full use of equipment and adequate supplies of raw materials and labor, and assuming full demand.

AF&PA’s Capacity Survey details U.S. industry capacity data for 2023 and 2024 for all major grades of paper, paperboard and pulp, as well as fiber consumption. It is based on a comprehensive survey of U.S. pulp and paper mills. It includes production data for 2023.

AF&PA data represent about 89% of U.S. paper and paperboard industry capacity, with estimates completing the data set.

How to Purchase the AF&PA Capacity Survey?

The complete Survey is available for purchase online. Please visit our website afandpa.org/statmill or contact statistics_publications@afandpa.org or 202-463-4716 for this report and other industry reports.

Embracing Sustainable Tissue Production

SManger — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:07:25 +0000

Embracing Sustainable Tissue Production

SManger Mon, 04/01/2024 - 09:07

Procter & Gamble’s Certified Forester Shares Insights

Sustainable practices are a top priority for the paper industry. From the fibers and water used to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the ways the industry puts responsibility first is through how we manufacture tissue products like paper towels and toilet paper.

We dove into how the industry is embracing sustainable production and got an insight into how one company, Procter & Gamble, approaches it.

How Are Toilet Paper and Paper Towels Made?

In the industry, toilet paper and paper towels are made using:

Wood from sustainably managed working forests
Recycled paper

AF&PA members adhere to sustainable fiber procurement principles. Procurement is how our members get the wood they need to make the products people rely on.

In 2020, AF&PA members procured 99.2% of the total wood fiber that was used to manufacture products through a certified fiber sourcing program.

Recycled paper and wood pulp help tissue manufacturers deliver different attributes depending on customer preferences such as:

Ultra-softness
Absorbency
Strength
Recycled content
Budget

^{Photo: Procter & Gamble}

Chris Reeves, Director and Certified Forester at Procter & Gamble (P&G), explained how wood pulp is turned into facial tissues, toilet paper or paper towels.

“The fibers are mixed with water and that mixture is then poured onto a belt to form a sheet,” he said. “Once dried, the sheet is rolled into a large roll, which is then converted into the smaller rolls you are familiar with.”

How Are Tissue Products Like Toilet Paper and Paper Towels Sustainable?

Tissue products are made from renewable resources. The fiber used to manufacture these products comes from managed, working forests where trees are replanted on a continuous cycle.

Sustainable forest management is critical for the future of our nation’s forests. Healthy, managed forests support biodiversity while protecting forestland from disease, insect infestations, invasive species, and wildfires.

Reeves gave insight into how P&G helps ensure forests are protected.

“P&G only sources our wood pulp from responsibly managed forests that are 100% third-party certified and require reforestation after harvesting. For our family care products like toilet paper, two trees are regrown for every tree used,” Reeves explained. “We are committed to respecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and protecting biodiversity.”

P&G also goes beyond its supply chain by partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 1 million trees between 2020 and 2025. “This helps fund forest replenishment in areas devastated by natural disasters like wildfires,” he said.

Some AF&PA members also use recycled paper to make toilet paper and paper towels. In fact, more than 90% of U.S. tissue manufacturers use recycled paper to make new products. The way P&G uses recycled fibers is in the paper cores their products are wrapped around.

How Are Tissue Products Helping Promote Sustainable Forests?

AF&PA members source trees from working forests, the majority of which are privately owned and have been around for generations. Responsible stewardship is crucial to the current health and future of a working forest.

Landowners, foresters, engineers, scientists, biologists, harvest managers and more work together to maintain these forests through long-term planning. That includes planning harvests and planting seedlings to continue the cycle.

Reeves, a certified forester, explained how foresters approach forest management with science.

“Working forests are managed in a thoughtful, scientific way that mimics nature and builds resiliency,” Reeves said. “Foresters use management tactics that help maximize the trees’ ability to store carbon, and reduce the risk of wildfires and bug infestations.”

How is the Paper Industry Leading on Sustainable Forestry?

As a condition of membership, AF&PA members are committed to sustainable forest management and sourcing wood from responsibly managed forests.

In 2020, AF&PA members procured 99.2% of the total wood fiber from forests that was used to manufacture products through a certified fiber sourcing program.

2030 Goal

Advance More Resilient U.S. Forests

AF&PA has a new 2030 sustainability goal to advance more resilient U.S. forests. It’s part of our Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future initiative. We’re doing this through:

Supporting conservation and restoration programs and initiatives
Engaging in partnerships and investing in research, outreach and education
Promoting sustainable forest management practices
Committing to increased supply chain transparency regarding responsible sourcing.

Reeves shared one of the ways P&G is working toward the industry’s 2030 goal.

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"At P&G, we are continually increasing acres of working forests that are certified by third-party organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC).

We do this by working directly with suppliers and their supply chain to get small landowners certified, sponsoring group certificates through FSC, and participating in coalitions and programs that spread awareness and reduce the barriers to certification," Reeves said.

As part of Better Practices, Better Planet 2030, AF&PA members will continue their commitment to procure wood fiber through certified sourcing.

Explore More Facts About Sustainability and Tissue Products

P&G's 2023 Sustainability Award for DE&I

How the Paper Industry Champions Sustainable Forestry

Are Tissue Products Sustainable?

Can I Recycle Decorative Tissue Paper?

SManger — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 14:36:12 +0000

Can I Recycle Decorative Tissue Paper?

SManger Thu, 12/14/2023 - 09:36

Gifts come in all shapes and sizes. That’s where gift bags and decorative tissue paper come in to help make them special. But you may be wondering if decorative tissue paper can be recycled.

Let’s dive in to find out.

Is Decorative Tissue Paper Recyclable?

Yes! Decorative tissue paper is recyclable by paper mills. Be sure to check your local guidelines before placing it in your recycling bin.

What if My Tissue Paper is Metallic or Has Glitter?

If your tissue paper is metallic, has glitter or other decorative elements, it isn’t recyclable. Try to reuse it if possible.

When in doubt, throw it out. Wishcycling -- when we put something in the recycling bin hoping it will be recycled -- disrupts the recycling process if it isn’t recyclable.

My Area Doesn’t Accept Tissue Paper, Now What?

We recommend trying to reuse the tissue paper if you can. You can try to reuse it for gift-wrapping or crafts. Check out How Life Unfolds for some ideas!

Is Decorative Tissue Paper Sustainable?

About 80%

of U.S. paper mills use some recycled paper

Yes, decorative tissue paper is sustainable. Paper products are made from trees, which are a renewable resource, and recycled paper.

About 80% of U.S. paper mills use some recycled paper fiber to make renewable products like packaging, office paper, newspaper and paper towels.

Even so, the industry is working to improve its sustainability through innovation and sustainability initiatives.

Explore more about the industry’s recycling and sustainability efforts:

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Is the Paper Industry Sustainable?

Are Tissue Products Sustainable?

How is the Paper Industry Improving Recycling?

Recycling Q&A

Recycling

Tissue

Are Tissue Products Sustainable?

SManger — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 12:26:40 +0000

Are Tissue Products Sustainable?

SManger Thu, 10/12/2023 - 08:26

Many paper products are an embedded part of our lives. Take tissue products for example – a staple in most homes.

What you may not realize is tissue products like toilet paper and paper towels are sustainably made.

Sustainability isn't just about how many times a product can be used. It’s also about how the product positively affects the environment, the economy, and our health and communities.

Let’s take a closer look at how toilet paper and paper towels are sustainable.

Are Tissue Products Sustainable?

Using Recycled Paper to Make Toilet Paper and Paper Towels

More than 90%

of U.S. tissue producers use recycled paper

Did you know tissue manufacturers use a lot of recycled paper?

According to Fisher International, North American tissue manufacturers use more recycled fiber in their products than those made in Europe and Asia.

More than 90% of U.S. tissue manufacturers use recycled paper to make new products.

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Explore More Facts About Paper Recycling

Sourcing from Private, Working Forests

90%

of wood is sourced from private, sustainably managed working forests

Tissue manufacturers also need to use fresh fiber – which comes from trees – to achieve certain attributes for certain tissue products. Things like ultra-softness or stronger absorbency.

Today, U.S. forests are strong. More than 1 billion trees are planted each year in the U.S. One-third of the U.S. is forested, totaling nearly 766 million acres.

90% of the wood used to make the essential paper and wood products that Americans use every day is sourced from private, sustainably managed working forests. Many of these forests are family-owned.

And, only about 2% of working forests are harvested each year.

Paper towel and toilet paper producers are also continually increasing the amount of fiber they get from certified forestlands and through certified fiber sourcing programs.

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Dive Into Our 2030 Goal to Advance Resilient U.S. Forests

Tissue with the Environment in Mind

In 2021, Georgia-Pacific won an AF&PA Sustainability Award for a project through its Quilted Northern brand.

Through an innovative process, they saved 30% more water and used 30% less energy by squeezing more water from tissue paper before drying.

Tissue Products Provide Hygiene and Cleaning Benefits

Tissue products help prevent the spread of germs and illness. Kitchen sponges and cloth towels can trap germs and spread them from room-to-room. Paper towels help avoid cross-contamination.

In fact, paper towels are preferred by healthcare professionals. They’re also preferred by users over air dryers.

Sustainability is the foundation of our industry. Learn more about how we prioritize sustainability in everything we do.

Understanding the Circular Economy and the Forest Products Industry

How the Paper Industry Champions Sustainable Forestry

Is the Paper Industry Sustainable?

Facts About Tissue Bleaching Agents

SManger — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 15:56:29 +0000

Facts About Tissue Bleaching Agents

SManger Thu, 02/16/2023 - 10:56

Have you ever wondered what makes your tissue soft and white? Share the facts about bleaching agents used in bathroom tissue and paper towel manufacturing by downloading this one-pager to communicate about the modern bleaching process and bleaching process definitions.

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National Forest Products Week Shines a Spotlight on People in the Forest Products Industry

CCozort — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 12:39:02 +0000

National Forest Products Week Shines a Spotlight on People in the Forest Products Industry

CCozort Mon, 10/18/2021 - 08:39

This is the 61st anniversary of the week-long celebration from October 17-23

CONTACT: Tim Ebner
(202) 463-2587, comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in celebration of the 61st anniversary of National Forest Products Week (October 17-23).

“During National Forest Products Week, we recognize and celebrate our people – the approximately 950,000 individuals who make up the forest products industry and produce essential products, sustainably made.

“Our strength as an industry comes from our people. They bring undeniable value to communities, big and small, and are highly effective champions at sharing the good news of the sustainability of our forests and how to recycle paper and packaging products.

“The forest products industry is contributing to a more sustainable future. AF&PA member companies and their employees make products from renewable and recyclable resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative—Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future.

“This initiative includes goals to advance more resilient U.S. forests and a circular value chain through the production of renewable and recyclable products. It also includes goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, focus on worker safety, and advance sustainable water management throughout manufacturing operations. Throughout National Forest Products Week we celebrate this work and shine a light on the people who are stewards of our forests, communities and our planet.”

For more information about AF&PA and the products our member companies make, visit afandpa.org/forestproductsweek. And follow us at @ForestandPaper and join the conversation with #ForestProductsWeek for real-time news on National Forest Products Week.

AF&PA Dynamic Fiber Flows: Background

SManger — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 17:21:53 +0000

AF&PA Dynamic Fiber Flows: Background

SManger Thu, 09/30/2021 - 13:21

The Dynamic Fiber Flows model measures the complex behaviors and trade-offs associated with changes to paper recovery and recovered fiber utilization in paper products based on system-wide interactions in the paper value chain to better inform decision makers.

This download includes the project overview, presentation and Q&A.

Tissue

Where Recycled Paper Goes Graph

AF&PA Addresses Concerns Over Toilet Paper Shortages Amid Port Strike

Are Toilet Paper and Paper Towels Sustainable?

Key Takeaways

Recycled Paper

Recycled Paper

AF&PA Details U.S. Paper Production and Capacity Trends

Embracing Sustainable Tissue Production

Can I Recycle Decorative Tissue Paper?

Are Tissue Products Sustainable?

Facts About Tissue Bleaching Agents

National Forest Products Week Shines a Spotlight on People in the Forest Products Industry

AF&PA Dynamic Fiber Flows: Background

Download the Background Information