- link Copy Url
- [  Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Focus on Supply Chain: Recovery & Reuse of Fiber https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/403626?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter")
- [  Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/403626?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin")
- [  Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/403626?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook")
- [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Focus on Supply Chain: Recovery & Reuse of Fiber&body=ESG News from International Paper https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/403626?absolute=1 "Share via email")
 
 

 [Responsible Production & Consumption](/CSR-News/responsible-production-consumption-0)

 # Focus on Supply Chain: Recovery & Reuse of Fiber

 


 

 Feb 13, 2023 2:00 PM ET

  ![Group of concentric boxes](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/concentricboxes_internationalpaper_111522.png) 

[Originally published in International Paper's 2021 Sustainability Report](https://www.internationalpaper.com/reports)

International Paper is one of the world’s largest users of recovered fiber. Recovering and reusing fiber after consumer use helps to extend the usefulness of natural resources and to reduce materials to landfills. Every year, our operations recycle 5 million tons of recovered fiber to make new fiber-based products. We also facilitate the sale of an additional 2 million tons for reuse. The recovery and reuse of fiber is core to our business, and we make concerted efforts to continually increase its global recovery.

**92% of North America’s corrugate is recycled**

**Q&A on Recycled Content**

If recycling is a vital part of International Paper’s strategy to improve our environmental impact, why doesn’t IP make boxes with 100% recycled material?

The answer is a function of the nature of fiber. While fiber is remarkable in that it can be reused many times, it cannot be recycled indefinitely. Each time a carton is recycled, the fiber becomes shorter and more brittle — in essence, it ends up being too insubstantial to make sturdy new cartons on its own. That’s why making fiber products requires both responsibly grown new fiber as well as recovered fiber.

In our manufacturing processes, we combine new fiber that comes from responsibly managed forests with recycled fiber that we collect through household and industrial recycling programs. Together, this combination of new and renewed creates an infinitely repeatable closed-loop system that become the products our customers can depend on for the long-term.

**About International Paper**

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, and pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 38,000 colleagues globally. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2021 were $19.4 billion. See how we’re building a better future for people, the planet, and our company at [internationalpaper.com/Vision-2030](http://internationalpaper.com/Vision-2030).

[Read more](https://www.internationalpaper.com/docs/default-source/english/global-homepage/footer/2021-ip-sustainability-report.pdf?sfvrsn=c8038933_22)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [![International Paper logo](/sites/default/files/2023-03/IP_Signature-Horz_RGB.jpg)](/profiles/international-paper-company)

 



 

### More from International Paper

###### [The Circular Life of a Cardboard Box: Understanding the Role of Recycling](/news/circular-life-cardboard-box-understanding-role-recycling)

 Sep 22, 2025 8:05 AM ET

  



###### [International Paper CSO Sophie Beckham Joins Impact Podcast to Discuss Sustainable Business Outcomes](/news/international-paper-cso-sophie-beckham-joins-impact-podcast-discuss-sustainable-business)

 Sep 9, 2025 9:45 AM ET

  



###### [Celebrate World Snake Day by Bringing Back the “Lord of the Forest”](/news/celebrate-world-snake-day-bringing-back-lord-forest)

 Jul 16, 2025 9:00 AM ET

  



###### [International Paper To Explore Building a New State-of-the-Art Sustainable Packaging Facility in Salt Lake City, Utah](/news/international-paper-explore-building-new-state-art-sustainable-packaging-facility-salt-lake)

 Jun 12, 2025 10:30 AM ET

  



###### [National Forest Week: How International Paper Helps Restore Longleaf Ecosystems ](/news/national-forest-week-how-international-paper-helps-restore-longleaf-ecosystems)

 Jun 9, 2025 12:15 PM ET

  



###### [Celebrating One of the World’s Most Biologically Rich Forests](/news/celebrating-one-worlds-most-biologically-rich-forests)

 May 22, 2025 1:50 PM ET

  



###### [International Paper Releases Inaugural TNFD Report, Advancing Global Leadership in Sustainability and Nature Transparency](/news/international-paper-releases-inaugural-tnfd-report-advancing-global-leadership-sustainability)

 May 21, 2025 1:50 PM ET

  



###### [Celebrating the Role of the Gopher Tortoises in Our Forest](/news/celebrating-role-gopher-tortoises-our-forest)

 May 19, 2025 12:25 PM ET