The paper and cardboard recycling market has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Once viewed as a straightforward waste collection activity, scrap and paper recycling has become a sophisticated process driven by innovation, partnerships, and the growing demand for sustainable practices. For printing and packaging converters as well as box plant managers, this evolution offers opportunities to increase revenue in your operations while meeting sustainability goals.

As a fourth-generation independent broker, processor, and exporter of recovered paper, Mid America Paper Recycling has witnessed these changes firsthand over decades. We’ve adapted and innovated to help our partners thrive in this dynamic market. As we enter 2025, let’s dive into the key trends shaping the future of recycling and how your business can stay ahead.

The Evolving Recycling Landscape

The days of simply tossing recyclable materials into a gaylord bin and forgetting about them are long gone. The recycling market now prioritizes extracting maximum value from every paper grade in every waste stream in your facility. This shift is driven by:

• Stringent environmental regulations pushing companies to reduce landfill contributions
• Consumer demand for sustainable products, prompting brands to adopt eco-friendly packaging
• Advances in technology, enabling more efficient sorting and processing of recyclable materials

These changes have transformed how companies like Mid America Paper Recycling work with our supplier-partners, moving from a reactive service model to more of a proactive, strategic partnership approach.

Three Trends Impacting the Future of Recycling

1. Circular Economy Partnerships - A circular economy thrives on collaboration between waste generators and upcyclers. For example, Mid America Paper Recycling helps box manufacturers and other clients divert waste from landfills by connecting them with upcycling partners. Recently, we developed a unique recycling process for flexo printing dieboards, transforming these "unrecyclable" wooden components into valuable products like garden mulch, road aggregate, or landfill cover. By working with partners to create closed-loop solutions, we help packaging converters reduce waste and disposal costs while supporting sustainability goals.

2. Specialized Waste Handling - Not all recyclables are created equal. Beyond the typical high-grade paper stocks and OCC cardboard are materials like mixed plastics, fabric remnants, and oversized components that require specialized handling and processing. Mid America Paper Recycling provides solutions for challenging materials like paperboard roll cores, wooden supports, and trade show display remnants. Our partnership with Orbus, a leading trade show display manufacturer, demonstrates how tailored recycling programs can eliminate 80% of waste from landfills while generating revenue for the client partner.

3. Recycling as a Recurring Revenue Stream - Recycling is no longer just an operational necessity—it’s a strategic financial opportunity. From our Chicago headquarters, we leverage cutting-edge AI-enhanced reporting to uncover hidden profit potential in our clients’ waste streams. For instance, we helped one client increase net income by over $250,000 in just six months by converting loose material into baled recyclables. Additionally, through better grade separation and mill-direct shipments, we identified opportunities to generate an additional $225,000 in net income. Detailed ROI analyses help clients not only reduce costs, such as freight expenses, but also maximize revenue by improving material handling and separation processes. By turning waste into a profit center, we ensure recycling contributes directly to your bottom line.

From the Plant Floor to the Board Room

At Mid America Paper Recycling, we’ve spent nearly a century perfecting our processes to meet the needs of printing and packaging converter plants. As we head into 2025, the management teams in any business that generates paper waste should consider these questions as it pertains to their recycling programs:

• Are we maximizing the value of our waste streams?
• Are there challenging materials we could recycle with the right partner?
• Are we leveraging strategic partnerships to support our sustainability goals?

Let’s Build a Better Future Together