Paper packaging accounted for nearly three-quarters of all packaging materials recovered for recycling in 2007 according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
| Packaging Type | Million Tons Recovered | Share of Total |
| Paper and Paperboard | 24.9 | 74.3% |
| Glass | 3.22 | 9.6% |
| Metal | 2.46 | 7.3% |
| Plastic | 1.59 | 4.7% |
| All Other | 1.33 | 4% |
| Total | 33.5 | 100% |
| 2007 data | ||
| Source: Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 2007 Facts and Figures |
