GITNUXREPORT 2026

Paper Waste Statistics

Paper waste is a massive global problem despite widespread recycling efforts.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In the US, annual paper consumption per capita is 226 kg, highest among OECD countries.

Statistic 2

Europe consumes 147 kg of paper per person yearly, with packaging at 70 kg.

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China’s paper consumption surged to 112 million tonnes in 2022.

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Global paper consumption totals 420 million tonnes annually, projected to rise 1.5% yearly.

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India consumes 13 million tonnes of paper yearly, with 80% imported pulp.

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Japan's per capita paper use dropped to 240 kg in 2021 from 300 kg in 2010.

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Brazil consumes 50 kg per capita, mostly packaging for e-commerce.

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Canada’s paper consumption is 190 kg per person, led by newsprint historically.

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Germany's annual consumption: 225 kg per capita, 40% recycled.

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South Korea uses 212 kg paper per capita in offices and printing.

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Worldwide, packaging paper consumption is 200 million tonnes yearly.

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Finland consumes 500 kg per capita due to high export industry.

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Indonesia's paper use grew to 8 million tonnes in 2022.

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Sweden per capita: 300 kg, with tissue and hygiene at 25 kg.

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Australia's paper consumption: 110 kg per person annually.

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Russia's consumption: 45 kg per capita, low due to digital shift.

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Mexico uses 55 kg paper per person, rising with urbanization.

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Thailand consumes 70 kg per capita, packaging dominant.

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Poland's paper use: 95 kg per person in 2021.

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Vietnam consumption reached 6 million tonnes total in 2022.

Statistic 21

US office paper consumption declined 10% from 2018-2022 to 15 million tons.

Statistic 22

EU tissue paper consumption: 18 kg per capita yearly.

Statistic 23

Asia-Pacific paper demand projected at 300 million tonnes by 2025.

Statistic 24

Global newsprint consumption fell 5% to 30 million tonnes in 2022.

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Per capita paper use in developing countries averages 20 kg vs 200 kg in developed.

Statistic 26

France consumes 160 kg paper per capita, graphic papers 30%.

Statistic 27

UK paper consumption: 120 kg per person, down 20% decade-over-decade.

Statistic 28

Italy uses 140 kg per capita, packaging 55%.

Statistic 29

US generated 17.3 million tons of paper waste in municipal solid waste in 2018.

Statistic 30

Globally, 190 million tonnes of paper waste is landfilled annually.

Statistic 31

Europe landfills only 20% of paper waste, incinerating 25%.

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China discards 40 million tonnes of paper to landfills yearly.

Statistic 33

India's paper waste to landfill: 7 million tonnes, 70% of total generated.

Statistic 34

Japan landfilled 5% of its 15 million tonnes paper waste in 2021.

Statistic 35

Brazil sends 3 million tonnes paper to dumps annually.

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Canada landfills 1.2 million tons of paper yearly.

Statistic 37

Germany landfilled less than 5% of paper waste in 2020.

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South Korea discards 10% of paper waste to landfills.

Statistic 39

US paper in landfills: 4.1 million tons in 2018, 24% of generation.

Statistic 40

Global paper waste generation: 400 million tonnes, 50% landfilled.

Statistic 41

UK paper to landfill: 1 million tonnes annually.

Statistic 42

Australia landfills 40% of its paper waste.

Statistic 43

Russia sends 60% paper waste to landfills.

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Mexico discards 2 million tonnes to landfills yearly.

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Thailand landfilled 1.5 million tonnes paper in 2021.

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Poland landfills 30% of paper waste.

Statistic 47

Vietnam sends 70% paper waste to open dumps.

Statistic 48

France incinerates 50% paper waste, landfills 15%.

Statistic 49

Global municipal solid waste paper fraction: 15-20%.

Statistic 50

EU paper landfilled decreased 50% since 2000.

Statistic 51

US paper landfill rate: 23% in 2018.

Statistic 52

Developing nations landfill 80% paper waste.

Statistic 53

Sweden landfills <1% paper waste.

Statistic 54

Italy landfilled 25% paper in 2020.

Statistic 55

Netherlands incinerates 70% paper waste.

Statistic 56

South Africa landfills 90% paper waste.

Statistic 57

Egypt discards 1 million tonnes paper to landfills yearly.

Statistic 58

Argentina landfilled 1.8 million tonnes paper in 2021.

Statistic 59

Global paper waste in landfills emits 100 million tons CO2 eq annually.

Statistic 60

US recycled 66% of paper waste in 2018, landfilled 24%.

Statistic 61

Producing paper waste generates 1.5 tons CO2 per ton globally.

Statistic 62

Paper waste contributes 34% to industrial waste methane emissions.

Statistic 63

Deforestation for paper: 42 million hectares lost since 1990.

Statistic 64

Recycling one ton paper saves 7,000 gallons water.

Statistic 65

Global paper industry water use: 10,000 liters per kg paper.

Statistic 66

Paper waste landfills leach toxins affecting 20% groundwater sites.

Statistic 67

Economic cost of paper waste: $200 billion globally yearly.

Statistic 68

US paper recycling saves $700 million in landfill costs annually.

Statistic 69

Paper production energy: 40% of industrial use, emissions 1.2 Gt CO2.

Statistic 70

Bleaching paper releases 150,000 tons dioxins yearly.

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Paper waste incineration emits 500 kg CO2 per ton.

Statistic 72

Global paper market value: $350 billion in 2022.

Statistic 73

Recycling paper cuts air pollution by 74% vs virgin.

Statistic 74

Paper waste management costs EU €10 billion yearly.

Statistic 75

One ton paper waste saves 24 trees when recycled.

Statistic 76

Paper industry responsible for 25% pulpwood harvest.

Statistic 77

Landfilled paper decomposition takes 2-5 months, releasing methane.

Statistic 78

Global paper waste carbon footprint: 800 Mt CO2e.

Statistic 79

Economic benefit of paper recycling: $4.6 billion US jobs.

Statistic 80

Paper production pollutes rivers with 1 million tons sludge yearly.

Statistic 81

Virgin paper uses 4x energy of recycled.

Statistic 82

Paper waste contributes to 10% marine plastic-like debris via fibers.

Statistic 83

Global paper trade value: $150 billion exports.

Statistic 84

Recycling reduces landfill space by 3.5 cubic yards per ton.

Statistic 85

Paper industry employs 4 million globally.

Statistic 86

Chemical use in paper: 100 million tons annually, polluting waterways.

Statistic 87

Paper waste incineration ash: 20% of landfill volume.

Statistic 88

Sustainable paper market growth: 5% CAGR to $300B by 2028.

Statistic 89

Globally, paper and paperboard production reached 419.8 million tonnes in 2022, contributing significantly to waste streams.

Statistic 90

In the United States, paper mills produced approximately 74.2 million tons of paper and paperboard in 2021.

Statistic 91

Europe produced 89.3 million tonnes of paper and paperboard in 2020, with packaging grades dominating at 54%.

Statistic 92

China's paper production hit 121.4 million tonnes in 2022, accounting for 29% of global output.

Statistic 93

India generated 15.2 million tonnes of paper products in 2021, growing at 6.5% annually.

Statistic 94

Japan produced 25.6 million tonnes of paper in 2020, with newsprint declining by 15% over five years.

Statistic 95

Brazil's paper industry output was 10.8 million tonnes in 2022, led by eucalyptus-based pulp.

Statistic 96

Canada manufactured 15.4 million tonnes of paper and pulp in 2021.

Statistic 97

Germany produced 22.1 million tonnes of paper products in 2020, emphasizing recycled content.

Statistic 98

South Korea's paper production stood at 13.2 million tonnes in 2022.

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Worldwide, printing and writing paper production was 103.4 million tonnes in 2021.

Statistic 100

Finland, a pulp leader, produced 9.5 million tonnes of chemical pulp in 2022.

Statistic 101

Indonesia's paper output reached 7.1 million tonnes in 2021, driven by packaging demand.

Statistic 102

Sweden generated 11.2 million tonnes of paper and board in 2020.

Statistic 103

Australia produced 1.4 million tonnes of paper products in 2022.

Statistic 104

Russia manufactured 6.8 million tonnes of paper in 2021.

Statistic 105

Mexico's paper production was 4.2 million tonnes in 2022.

Statistic 106

Thailand outputted 5.6 million tonnes of paper in 2021.

Statistic 107

Poland produced 3.9 million tonnes of paper and board in 2020.

Statistic 108

Vietnam reached 4.5 million tonnes in paper production in 2022.

Statistic 109

Global pulp production for paper was 183 million tonnes in 2022.

Statistic 110

US virgin pulp production was 28.5 million tons in 2021.

Statistic 111

EU graphic paper production fell to 25.6 million tonnes in 2022.

Statistic 112

Asia-Pacific region produced 260 million tonnes of paper in 2021.

Statistic 113

Recovered paper used in production globally: 214 million tonnes in 2022.

Statistic 114

World paper capacity utilization rate was 89% in 2021.

Statistic 115

Norway's paper production was 2.1 million tonnes in 2020.

Statistic 116

Austria produced 4.8 million tonnes of paper in 2022.

Statistic 117

New Zealand output: 1.2 million tonnes of paper products in 2021.

Statistic 118

Turkey manufactured 5.9 million tonnes in 2022.

Statistic 119

Global paper recycling rate reached 60% in 2022.

Statistic 120

US paper recovery rate: 68.2% in 2021.

Statistic 121

Europe recycles 72% of paper waste annually.

Statistic 122

China's paper recycling rate: 45% in 2022.

Statistic 123

India recycles 20% of its 11 million tonnes paper waste.

Statistic 124

Japan recovers 82% of paper for recycling.

Statistic 125

Brazil's paper recycling rate: 45% in 2021.

Statistic 126

Canada recycles 80% of paper products.

Statistic 127

Germany achieves 87% paper recycling rate.

Statistic 128

South Korea recycles 78% paper waste.

Statistic 129

Global recovered paper utilization: 58% of production in 2022.

Statistic 130

Finland recycles 90% of paper consumed.

Statistic 131

Indonesia's recycling rate: 25% for paper.

Statistic 132

Sweden recovers 88% paper for recycling.

Statistic 133

Australia's paper recycling: 65% rate.

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Russia's paper recycling: 30%.

Statistic 135

Mexico recycles 40% paper waste.

Statistic 136

Thailand's rate: 35%.

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Poland recycles 60% paper.

Statistic 138

Vietnam: 15% paper recycling rate.

Statistic 139

US collected 43 million tons paper for recycling in 2021.

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EU recycled 47 million tonnes paper in 2022.

Statistic 141

Global paper mills used 214 million tonnes recovered paper in 2022.

Statistic 142

UK's paper recycling rate: 80%.

Statistic 143

France recycles 75% paper waste.

Statistic 144

Italy: 72% recovery rate.

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Paper recycling saves 17 trees per ton recycled.

Statistic 146

Global paper recycling grew 2% yearly since 2010.

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Netherlands 95% paper recycling.

Statistic 148

Global paper waste recycling potential: 80% feasible.

Statistic 149

US newsprint recycling: 90%.

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The staggering reality is that the paper products we often mindlessly discard form a global mountain of waste so vast—hundreds of millions of tonnes are produced and landfilled each year—that our daily choices around paper carry a heavier environmental and economic burden than most of us ever imagine.

Key Takeaways

Globally, paper and paperboard production reached 419.8 million tonnes in 2022, contributing significantly to waste streams.
In the United States, paper mills produced approximately 74.2 million tons of paper and paperboard in 2021.
Europe produced 89.3 million tonnes of paper and paperboard in 2020, with packaging grades dominating at 54%.
In the US, annual paper consumption per capita is 226 kg, highest among OECD countries.
Europe consumes 147 kg of paper per person yearly, with packaging at 70 kg.
China’s paper consumption surged to 112 million tonnes in 2022.
US generated 17.3 million tons of paper waste in municipal solid waste in 2018.
Globally, 190 million tonnes of paper waste is landfilled annually.
Europe landfills only 20% of paper waste, incinerating 25%.
Global paper recycling rate reached 60% in 2022.
US paper recovery rate: 68.2% in 2021.
Europe recycles 72% of paper waste annually.
Producing paper waste generates 1.5 tons CO2 per ton globally.
Paper waste contributes 34% to industrial waste methane emissions.
Deforestation for paper: 42 million hectares lost since 1990.

Paper waste is a massive global problem despite widespread recycling efforts.

Consumption Patterns

In the US, annual paper consumption per capita is 226 kg, highest among OECD countries.
Europe consumes 147 kg of paper per person yearly, with packaging at 70 kg.
China’s paper consumption surged to 112 million tonnes in 2022.
Global paper consumption totals 420 million tonnes annually, projected to rise 1.5% yearly.
India consumes 13 million tonnes of paper yearly, with 80% imported pulp.
Japan's per capita paper use dropped to 240 kg in 2021 from 300 kg in 2010.
Brazil consumes 50 kg per capita, mostly packaging for e-commerce.
Canada’s paper consumption is 190 kg per person, led by newsprint historically.
Germany's annual consumption: 225 kg per capita, 40% recycled.
South Korea uses 212 kg paper per capita in offices and printing.
Worldwide, packaging paper consumption is 200 million tonnes yearly.
Finland consumes 500 kg per capita due to high export industry.
Indonesia's paper use grew to 8 million tonnes in 2022.
Sweden per capita: 300 kg, with tissue and hygiene at 25 kg.
Australia's paper consumption: 110 kg per person annually.
Russia's consumption: 45 kg per capita, low due to digital shift.
Mexico uses 55 kg paper per person, rising with urbanization.
Thailand consumes 70 kg per capita, packaging dominant.
Poland's paper use: 95 kg per person in 2021.
Vietnam consumption reached 6 million tonnes total in 2022.
US office paper consumption declined 10% from 2018-2022 to 15 million tons.
EU tissue paper consumption: 18 kg per capita yearly.
Asia-Pacific paper demand projected at 300 million tonnes by 2025.
Global newsprint consumption fell 5% to 30 million tonnes in 2022.
Per capita paper use in developing countries averages 20 kg vs 200 kg in developed.
France consumes 160 kg paper per capita, graphic papers 30%.
UK paper consumption: 120 kg per person, down 20% decade-over-decade.
Italy uses 140 kg per capita, packaging 55%.

Consumption Patterns Interpretation

While developed nations' paper mountains are ironically built on digital deforestation, the global story reveals a paper-thin commitment to sustainability, where per capita indulgence and packaging proliferation paint a picture of persistent waste rather than a paperless future.

Disposal and Landfilling

US generated 17.3 million tons of paper waste in municipal solid waste in 2018.
Globally, 190 million tonnes of paper waste is landfilled annually.
Europe landfills only 20% of paper waste, incinerating 25%.
China discards 40 million tonnes of paper to landfills yearly.
India's paper waste to landfill: 7 million tonnes, 70% of total generated.
Japan landfilled 5% of its 15 million tonnes paper waste in 2021.
Brazil sends 3 million tonnes paper to dumps annually.
Canada landfills 1.2 million tons of paper yearly.
Germany landfilled less than 5% of paper waste in 2020.
South Korea discards 10% of paper waste to landfills.
US paper in landfills: 4.1 million tons in 2018, 24% of generation.
Global paper waste generation: 400 million tonnes, 50% landfilled.
UK paper to landfill: 1 million tonnes annually.
Australia landfills 40% of its paper waste.
Russia sends 60% paper waste to landfills.
Mexico discards 2 million tonnes to landfills yearly.
Thailand landfilled 1.5 million tonnes paper in 2021.
Poland landfills 30% of paper waste.
Vietnam sends 70% paper waste to open dumps.
France incinerates 50% paper waste, landfills 15%.
Global municipal solid waste paper fraction: 15-20%.
EU paper landfilled decreased 50% since 2000.
US paper landfill rate: 23% in 2018.
Developing nations landfill 80% paper waste.
Sweden landfills <1% paper waste.
Italy landfilled 25% paper in 2020.
Netherlands incinerates 70% paper waste.
South Africa landfills 90% paper waste.
Egypt discards 1 million tonnes paper to landfills yearly.
Argentina landfilled 1.8 million tonnes paper in 2021.
Global paper waste in landfills emits 100 million tons CO2 eq annually.
US recycled 66% of paper waste in 2018, landfilled 24%.

Disposal and Landfilling Interpretation

The world's paper trail reveals a story of two civilizations: one racing toward a circular economy by recycling and recovering energy, while the other remains buried under a mountain of wasted potential, literally.

Environmental and Economic Impacts

Producing paper waste generates 1.5 tons CO2 per ton globally.
Paper waste contributes 34% to industrial waste methane emissions.
Deforestation for paper: 42 million hectares lost since 1990.
Recycling one ton paper saves 7,000 gallons water.
Global paper industry water use: 10,000 liters per kg paper.
Paper waste landfills leach toxins affecting 20% groundwater sites.
Economic cost of paper waste: $200 billion globally yearly.
US paper recycling saves $700 million in landfill costs annually.
Paper production energy: 40% of industrial use, emissions 1.2 Gt CO2.
Bleaching paper releases 150,000 tons dioxins yearly.
Paper waste incineration emits 500 kg CO2 per ton.
Global paper market value: $350 billion in 2022.
Recycling paper cuts air pollution by 74% vs virgin.
Paper waste management costs EU €10 billion yearly.
One ton paper waste saves 24 trees when recycled.
Paper industry responsible for 25% pulpwood harvest.
Landfilled paper decomposition takes 2-5 months, releasing methane.
Global paper waste carbon footprint: 800 Mt CO2e.
Economic benefit of paper recycling: $4.6 billion US jobs.
Paper production pollutes rivers with 1 million tons sludge yearly.
Virgin paper uses 4x energy of recycled.
Paper waste contributes to 10% marine plastic-like debris via fibers.
Global paper trade value: $150 billion exports.
Recycling reduces landfill space by 3.5 cubic yards per ton.
Paper industry employs 4 million globally.
Chemical use in paper: 100 million tons annually, polluting waterways.
Paper waste incineration ash: 20% of landfill volume.
Sustainable paper market growth: 5% CAGR to $300B by 2028.

Environmental and Economic Impacts Interpretation

While the global paper industry hemorrhages money, trees, and clean water, recycling proves it's far cheaper—financially and ecologically—to save a page than to raze a forest for it.

Generation and Production

Globally, paper and paperboard production reached 419.8 million tonnes in 2022, contributing significantly to waste streams.
In the United States, paper mills produced approximately 74.2 million tons of paper and paperboard in 2021.
Europe produced 89.3 million tonnes of paper and paperboard in 2020, with packaging grades dominating at 54%.
China's paper production hit 121.4 million tonnes in 2022, accounting for 29% of global output.
India generated 15.2 million tonnes of paper products in 2021, growing at 6.5% annually.
Japan produced 25.6 million tonnes of paper in 2020, with newsprint declining by 15% over five years.
Brazil's paper industry output was 10.8 million tonnes in 2022, led by eucalyptus-based pulp.
Canada manufactured 15.4 million tonnes of paper and pulp in 2021.
Germany produced 22.1 million tonnes of paper products in 2020, emphasizing recycled content.
South Korea's paper production stood at 13.2 million tonnes in 2022.
Worldwide, printing and writing paper production was 103.4 million tonnes in 2021.
Finland, a pulp leader, produced 9.5 million tonnes of chemical pulp in 2022.
Indonesia's paper output reached 7.1 million tonnes in 2021, driven by packaging demand.
Sweden generated 11.2 million tonnes of paper and board in 2020.
Australia produced 1.4 million tonnes of paper products in 2022.
Russia manufactured 6.8 million tonnes of paper in 2021.
Mexico's paper production was 4.2 million tonnes in 2022.
Thailand outputted 5.6 million tonnes of paper in 2021.
Poland produced 3.9 million tonnes of paper and board in 2020.
Vietnam reached 4.5 million tonnes in paper production in 2022.
Global pulp production for paper was 183 million tonnes in 2022.
US virgin pulp production was 28.5 million tons in 2021.
EU graphic paper production fell to 25.6 million tonnes in 2022.
Asia-Pacific region produced 260 million tonnes of paper in 2021.
Recovered paper used in production globally: 214 million tonnes in 2022.
World paper capacity utilization rate was 89% in 2021.
Norway's paper production was 2.1 million tonnes in 2020.
Austria produced 4.8 million tonnes of paper in 2022.
New Zealand output: 1.2 million tonnes of paper products in 2021.
Turkey manufactured 5.9 million tonnes in 2022.

Generation and Production Interpretation

Our forests are being industrialized at a staggering global scale, with each nation's paper production sheet tallying a disquieting, multi-million tonne story of how we continue to prefer pulped trees over pristine ecosystems.

Recycling Statistics

Global paper recycling rate reached 60% in 2022.
US paper recovery rate: 68.2% in 2021.
Europe recycles 72% of paper waste annually.
China's paper recycling rate: 45% in 2022.
India recycles 20% of its 11 million tonnes paper waste.
Japan recovers 82% of paper for recycling.
Brazil's paper recycling rate: 45% in 2021.
Canada recycles 80% of paper products.
Germany achieves 87% paper recycling rate.
South Korea recycles 78% paper waste.
Global recovered paper utilization: 58% of production in 2022.
Finland recycles 90% of paper consumed.
Indonesia's recycling rate: 25% for paper.
Sweden recovers 88% paper for recycling.
Australia's paper recycling: 65% rate.
Russia's paper recycling: 30%.
Mexico recycles 40% paper waste.
Thailand's rate: 35%.
Poland recycles 60% paper.
Vietnam: 15% paper recycling rate.
US collected 43 million tons paper for recycling in 2021.
EU recycled 47 million tonnes paper in 2022.
Global paper mills used 214 million tonnes recovered paper in 2022.
UK's paper recycling rate: 80%.
France recycles 75% paper waste.
Italy: 72% recovery rate.
Paper recycling saves 17 trees per ton recycled.
Global paper recycling grew 2% yearly since 2010.
Netherlands 95% paper recycling.
Global paper waste recycling potential: 80% feasible.
US newsprint recycling: 90%.

Recycling Statistics Interpretation

It’s a global report card on paper recycling where some nations are acing their way toward a forest-friendly future, while others are, quite frankly, still doodling in the margins.