Mid America Paper Recycling Marks 100 Years Of Continuous Operation Chicago, Illinois based Mid America Paper Recycling (MAPR), a fourth-generation leader in paper and recycling solutions, is celebrating a century of continuous operation serving suppliers, paper mills, and industrial packaging partners across North America. Mid America’s centennial was recognized by AICC, the leading association representing independent corrugated and packaging companies, as part of its Member Milestone Program, honoring companies that have achieved signifi- cant anniversaries of continuous operation. The recogni- tion highlights the company’s enduring role in supporting the paper packaging and recycling industry. Founded in 1926, Mid America has grown from a lo-
cal scrap operation into a trusted recycling partner known for its deep market knowledge, operational discipline, and long-standing customer relationships. Over the past century, the company has built its reputation by helping businesses increase revenue, reduce costs, and improve sustainability outcomes through smarter management of their recyclable materials. “For 100 years, this business has been built on relation- ships,” said Don Gaines, a fourth-generation leader of the company. “Markets change. Customers change. But what doesn’t change is how you show up, being genuine, shar- ing your knowledge, and helping people find better ways to operate. That’s what earns trust over time.” Unlike many companies in the recycling brokerage space, Mid America’s approach extends well beyond buy- ing and selling commodities. The company brings a con- sultative, operations-driven service model by conducting
on-site audits, mapping material flow, and identifying inefficiencies across the recy- cling stream. By improving segregation, enhancing bale integrity, aligning grades with the right mill demand, and stream- lining logistics across multi-site plant net- works, Mid America transforms recycling from a cost center into a more disciplined, value-generating part of a packaging firm’s operation. “We’ve never been just a transactional business,” Gaines added. “It’s about walk- ing a facility, understanding their process- es, and asking the right questions. How can we help you make more money, im- prove efficiency, enhance worker safety or eliminate unnecessary costs? That’s how you create real value and that’s why cus- tomers stay with you.” That philosophy has helped Mid Ameri- ca stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace, where success is defined not by participation, but by the ability to con- sistently deliver value across complex sup- ply chains. “Anybody can enter the recycling busi- ness,” Gaines said. “But staying in it and growing over decades comes down to ex- perience, attention to detail, and delivering on what you say you’re going to do.” A key differentiator has been the com- pany’s ability to match specific grades of recyclable material to the right end mar- kets, which helps minimize costly down- grades and maximize value for customers. Combined with a high-touch service model and deep mill relationships across the U.S., this expertise enables Mid Amer- ica to consistently deliver measurable re- CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
10 April 27, 2026
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