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The corrugated industry has done a great job with recycling. In 2003, recovery of old corrugated containers rose to a record high of 75.2%. This is up almost 25% since 1997. Converters are also using more environmentally friendly inks in their printing processes. Legislation in the early 90's reduced the allowable content of certain metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and copper. The corrugated industry had already reduced the levels of these metals. The use of oil based inks and clean up solvents that contain dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOC's) has been virtually eliminated in corrugated plants. Water based inks are now used almost exclusively. The quality of the water discharged from box plants has improved significantly. Water quality is measured in terms of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and from 1984 to 1993 BOD was cut in half and has continued to improve. Some plants have zero discharge.
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