The Fact:  Paper is one of the most recycled products in the world

One of the key environmental attributes of paper is that it can be easily recycled and used to make new products. Since tracking paper recovery rates began back in the 1990s, paper recycling has increased dramatically. We’re not only recovering more, but we now know how to get the most environmental and economic benefits from using recycled paper in new products. In addition to the sustainable advantage of being made from a renewable resource, paper and its supporters are leading the way when it comes to implementation of effective recycling and the minimization and eventual elimination of print and paper waste in landfills.

• In 2013, 50 million tons or 63.5% of the paper used in the United States was recovered for recycling. This is far higher than the 28% of glass and 9% of plastic recovered.  In Canada 73% of the paper is recovered.

           – AF&PA, 2015; U.S. EPA, 2015; Forest Products Association of Canada, 2014

• Worldwide recovered paper demand will increase by approximately 40 million tonnes from 2012 to 2016. Most of the new demand growth will be in developing countries, with China accounting for about 60% of expansion.

             – RISI, 2012

• In 2012, the average global recovery rate of paper products was 57%. For corrugated cardboard it was 84%, old newsprint and magazines, 67% and paper overall 36%.

             – RISI, 2012

• All available recovered fiber is currently being used in the global marketplace. Recovered paper is sold to the highest bidder and shipped all around the world. In fact, many Canadian companies backhaul waste paper from the U.S. in the same trucks that deliver new paper to their American customers.

             – Forest Products Association of Canada, 2012

Please refer to our Two Sides Fact Sheets for more information