Key Takeaways
- Paper grades are defined by fiber composition, structure, and surface finish, which directly affect strength, print quality, cost, and recyclability.
- Not all paper grades recycle the same way – clean, well-sorted materials retain higher value and perform better in recycling markets.
- Carlin Waste Recycling helps businesses identify, sort, and sell paper grades to maximize recycling value and market returns.
Paper grades play a critical role in packaging performance, print quality, and recycling value.
In this guide, you’ll learn what paper grades are, how the most common types differ, where each grade is typically used, and what to consider when selecting and recycling them – so you can make informed decisions and maximize both operational and environmental value.
Let’s start!
What Are Paper Grades?
Paper grades are classifications of paper and paperboard based on fiber composition, thickness, surface finish, and intended application. These distinctions guide your selection process for packaging, printing, or recycling purposes.
High-quality grades usually consist of long virgin fibers that provide durability, stiffness, and a smooth surface ideal for premium printing. Recycled grades, while more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, may have shorter fibers and coatings that affect strength and recyclability.
What Are the Different Paper Grades?
The different paper grades are:
1. Corrugated fiberboard
It is commonly used for shipping and logistics. Its fluted design between liner boards provides compression resistance, cushioning, and durability for heavy or fragile goods. Corrugated board is also highly recyclable and retains value in secondary markets.
2. Clay Coated News Back (CCNB)
This paper grade is made from recycled fibers such as newspapers and mixed papers, with a clay coating on one side to improve print quality. CCNB is ideal for lightweight folding cartons, including cereal boxes, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods.
3. Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS)
It is a premium-grade board made from bleached virgin fibers. Its bright, smooth surface is suitable for high-resolution printing, embossing, or foiling. Even though it is made of virgin fibers, SBS remains recyclable if free from contamination.
4. Natural Kraft and Coated Unbleached Kraft (CUK) boards
Both grades provide strength and durability. Natural Kraft has an organic brown appearance suitable for eco-conscious brands, while CUK adds a coated surface for moisture resistance and printability.
These grades are fully recyclable and help brands communicate sustainability to customers.
5. Folding Boxboard (FBB)
It combines recycled and virgin fibers in a lightweight, multi-layer structure. Its smooth surface allows for high-quality graphics, making it suitable for consumer products, food cartons, and cosmetics.
FBB balances cost, aesthetics, and recyclability for mid-weight packaging.
What Are Different Paper Grades Used For?
Different paper grades are used for a wide range of packaging applications depending on their strength, surface finish, and recyclability. Choosing the right grade ensures your products are well-protected, visually appealing, and maintain value in recycling streams.
- Shipping and logistics: Corrugated fiberboard is the standard for shipping boxes due to its layered structure. Heavy, fragile, or bulk products rely on corrugated materials to reduce damage during transit. Its long fibers also retain value in the recycling market.
- Retail and consumer packaging: CCNB and FBB are commonly used in consumer goods. CCNB is particularly cost-effective for lightweight packaging such as cereal boxes, pharmaceuticals, and small household items. FBB provides a balance of aesthetics and durability for mid-weight products like cosmetics and retail boxes.
- Premium and luxury packaging: SBS is the preferred choice for premium goods. Its bright white, smooth surface supports embossing, foil stamping, and high-resolution printing. Products such as electronics, luxury cosmetics, and specialty foods benefit from SBS for a strong shelf presence.
- Eco-conscious and sustainable packaging: Natural Kraft and CUK boards offer high durability and a natural look. Kraft boards are visually appealing for eco-friendly brands, while CUK adds moisture resistance and enhanced printability.
The continuously growing demand for paper and paper products, combined with the shortage of wood fiber resources, determines the necessity to look for supply alternatives of fiber raw materials.
– “Paper Recycling: Factors of Influence” by V. Marinova and T. Stoykova
How to Choose the Right Paper Grade for Your Packaging Needs
To choose the right paper grade for your packaging needs, focus on the following key factors:
- Strength and performance requirements: Match the paper grade to product weight, fragility, and stacking needs to ensure protection during handling and transport.
- Print quality and branding needs: Consider surface finish and print performance if packaging requires high-quality graphics or premium presentation.
- Sustainability and recycled content: Choose grades with recycled fibers or responsibly sourced materials to support environmental goals.
- Recyclability and end-of-life value: Ensure the paper grade can be efficiently recycled within existing infrastructure and retains value in recycling markets.
- Cost versus performance balance: Weigh budget constraints against functional and aesthetic requirements to avoid over-specifying materials.
- Quality control and handling: Proper storage, sampling, and material testing help maintain fiber integrity, print consistency, and recyclability.
Can All Paper Grades Be Recycled?
Yes, all paper grades can be recycled, but not all of them are equally easy to process:
- Corrugated fiberboard is one of the most recyclable paper grades due to its long, strong fibers. It can be efficiently reprocessed into new corrugated products with minimal treatment, which makes it a high-value material in recycling markets.
- CCNB is also recyclable, although its clay coating requires deinking and additional processing. Recyclers favor clean, well-sorted CCNB because it improves fiber recovery and end quality. Despite the extra processing steps, CCNB remains widely recycled thanks to its affordability and common use in consumer packaging.
- SBS, made entirely from virgin fibers, is fully recyclable when kept free from contamination. Its bright, smooth fibers retain high value in secondary markets, particularly for applications that require premium print quality and surface finish.
- CUK boards are recyclable as well, as they are produced from strong, unbleached fibers. Their coatings generally do not hinder recyclability, provided the material is clean and properly separated.
- FBB can also be recycled in most systems, though its multi-layer structure may require additional processing. By combining virgin and recycled fibers, FBB offers a practical balance between recyclability, strength, and print performance.
Paper is an easy material to recycle because, unlike plastic or metals, it doesn’t require extreme heat to melt it down to make it into a new form, the way plastics and metals do.
– Katherine Harmon in “Recycle! Make Old Paper New”
Paper grades that are not easily recyclable include wax-coated papers, laminated boards, and paper products with mixed plastic layers. These materials can contaminate recycling streams and reduce fiber quality. Proper separation of non-recyclable grades helps preserve clean recycling streams and protects the market value of recyclable paper.
Maximize the Value of Your Paper Waste with Carlin Waste Recycling
At Carlin Waste Recycling, we help you unlock the full value of your paper waste by connecting every grade to the most competitive markets. With over 10 years of experience, we provide reliable brokerage services for businesses of all sizes.
Here’s how we help you maximize the value of paper waste:
- Accurate grade identification: Properly classifying your paper ensures better pricing and reduces the risk of rejection by recyclers.
- Optimized collection and storage: Keeping paper dry, clean, and separated by grade maintains fiber quality and market value.
- Access to competitive buyers: Our extensive network connects your paper grades with buyers who value your material most, from corrugated boards to premium SBS.
- Sustainability reporting: We provide documentation of recycled content and environmental impact, helping your business demonstrate responsibility.
- Consultative guidance: Our team advises on sorting, handling, and selling paper, ensuring maximum efficiency and revenue from waste materials.
Contact us and get a quote today! Our expert team ensures you get the best market outcome for your materials while supporting sustainability goals.
FAQs About Paper Grades
What Is Thicker, 80lb or 100lb Paper?
100lb paper is thicker than 80lb paper. The “lb” measurement refers to the weight of a ream of uncut sheets.
What Types of Paper Cannot Be Recycled?
The types of paper that cannot be recycled are: Papers with wax coatings, plastic laminations, heavy adhesives, or mixed-material layers that interfere with standard recycling processes. These treatments prevent fibers from being properly separated and recovered, leading to contamination and lower-quality output.
What Is the Highest Quality of Paper?
The highest quality of paper is Solid Bleached Sulfate. It offers excellent strength, smoothness, and a bright white finish. It is widely used for luxury packaging, electronics boxes, cosmetics, and other products that require durability and high-resolution printing. Uncontaminated SBS also retains high value in the recycling market.
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