On March 9, 2026, USDA announced the termination of the Paper and Paper-Based packaging Promotion, Research, and Information Order as authorized by the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996. The termination of the order ended the research and promotion program known as the Paper and Packaging Board (P+PB). P+PB’s purpose was to expand the market for paper and paper-based packaging and was administered with oversight from USDA.
The termination follows a referendum conducted July 14-25, 2025, in which eligible domestic manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging did not support continuing the program.
The program was 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 were exempt from paying assessments. The eight-member board consisted of seven domestic manufacturers and one importer.