Frequently Asked Questions

The Paper and Packaging Board’s How Life Unfolds® campaign is a national promotional campaign funded by manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging otherwise known as the Paper Checkoff program. The campaign focuses on the industry’s unrivaled sustainability story. Consumers want to make choices they believe are more planet-friendly and reduce waste. This emphasis on sustainability will improve consumers’ perceptions about the paper and packaging industry’s contribution to environmental solutions.

Checkoff Information

The paper and packaging industry voted overwhelmingly in favor of forming a checkoff in November 2013 and the USDA Order, the authorizing federal legislation creating the checkoff, was released in January 2014. A commodity checkoff program is designed to maintain and expand markets for an industry’s products. Find more information here.
The checkoff was renewed by an affirmative referendum of a majority of the companies voting who represented a majority of the volume of the paper and paper-based packaging produced or imported covered by the program in October 2021 and October 2023.
Manufacturers and importers annually producing or importing 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging pay into the program. The program covers four types of paper and paper-based packaging—printing, writing and related paper (used to make products for printing, writing and other communication purposes), kraft packaging paper (used for products like grocery bags and sacks), containerboard (used to make corrugated boxes, shipping containers and related products), and paperboard (used for food and beverage packaging, tubes and other miscellaneous products). Companies annually producing or importing less than 100,000 short tons are exempt from this effort. If a company is a producer and importer, the combined domestic production and imports of paper and paper-based packaging are counted to determine whether the company is exempt from the assessment.
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has more than 20 research and promotion boards that empower farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses. P+PB follows a long line of successful, now iconic checkoff programs and each checkoff's duration varies. Cotton celebrated its 55^thanniversary in 2021. Beef, founded in 1986, is more than 35 years old. Dairy was founded in 1993.

Younger checkoffs like P+PB have seven years between renewal referendums.
The Paper and Packaging Board Order requires the industry to hold a continuance referendum no later than every seven years to vote on whether or not to continue the program. P+PB's next referendum will likely be held in 2030. The USDA runs, tallies and reports the referendum results.

Board Administration

The Paper and Packaging Board consists of 8 members elected by the industry and appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Paper and Packaging Board establishes and guides promotions designed to help expand demand for paper and paper-based packaging products. The 8-member governing board is made up of manufacturers and importers of these products. More than 40 companies participate in the Paper Checkoff, an industry-funded promotion program established by the USDA in 2014. The Board has a small office staff, based just outside of Washington, DC in McLean, VA.

Funding and Assessments

The program is funded by a mandatory assessment of 35 cents per short ton paid by domestic manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging. Domestic manufacturers and importers of less than 100,000 short tons of paper and paper-based packaging per year are exempt from paying assessments. Assessment FAQ | Operating Budget
The program is financed by an assessment of $0.35 per short ton on U.S. manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging. (One short ton equals 2,000 pounds). Entities that domestically manufacture or import less than 100,000 short tons per marketing year are exempt from the payment of assessments. Manufacturers and importers producing or importing 100,000 saleable short tons or more of paper and paper-based products annually participate.

USDA’s Role

USDA Research & Promotion (R&P) programs, authorized by Congress, are requested, funded and driven by industry. The programs establish a framework to pool resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight, ensuring fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders. Learn more about the Paper and Packaging Board order and all the orders USDA oversees.