Cardboard Recycling Global Market Report 2025

The cardboard recycling market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $51.32 billion in 2024 to $55.31 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to the rise in e-commerce activities, increased awareness of environmental concerns, the expansion of the retail sector, growing generation of packaging waste, and the rising demand for sustainable packaging solutions.

The cardboard recycling market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $74.55 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to stricter government regulations on waste management, increasing emphasis on circular economy practices, rising adoption of eco-friendly packaging, growing consumer preference for sustainable products, and increased investment in recycling infrastructure. Key trends expected during this period include technological advancements in pulping processes, innovations in moisture-resistant recycled cardboard, the development of robotic material handling systems, ongoing research in contamination reduction techniques, and progress in digital waste management platforms.

The rising demand for sustainable packaging is expected to drive the growth of the cardboard recycling market in the coming years. Sustainable packaging solutions refer to packaging methods and materials that are designed to reduce environmental impact throughout their lifecycle. This demand is increasing as consumers become more aware of environmental issues and prefer eco-friendly products that help reduce waste. Cardboard recycling supports sustainable packaging by enabling the reuse of materials, lowering environmental impact, and encouraging circular economy practices. It also contributes to efficient waste management, meeting eco-conscious consumer expectations and enhancing supply chain sustainability. For example, in January 2023, Protega Global Limited, a UK-based company providing sustainable packaging solutions, reported that 81 percent of consumers demanded sustainable packaging, showing a notable increase of 1.7 percent compared to the previous year. Therefore, the increasing demand for sustainable packaging is contributing to the growth of the cardboard recycling market.

Key players in the cardboard recycling market are focusing on developing advanced, innovative solutions such as circular economy enablement to promote eco-friendly practices and reduce carbon emissions. Circular economy enablement involves designing systems that extend the use of materials through recycling, reusing, and regenerating resources, which minimizes waste and environmental harm. For example, in July 2023, Russell Richardson & Sons Ltd., a UK-based company specializing in waste management and recycling, introduced a dedicated cardboard recycling service. This new offering helps businesses manage their cardboard waste more sustainably and efficiently through advanced recycling infrastructure and specialized collection and processing systems, supporting environmental targets while also reducing operational expenses.

In April 2024, Ekman & Co AB, a forest products company based in Sweden, acquired Allan Morris Recycling Ltd. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is aimed at reinforcing Ekman’s presence in the paper and cardboard recycling industry by integrating Allan Morris Recycling’s advanced facilities and experienced workforce. The combined capabilities are expected to drive business growth, enhance operational efficiency, and expand service offerings across the United Kingdom. Allan Morris Recycling Ltd. is a UK-based company that processes recyclable materials including paper and cardboard.

Major players in the cardboard recycling market are Oji Holdings Corporation, Stora Enso Oyj, Mondi Group plc, Georgia-Pacific Recycling LLC, Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Sonoco Products Company, Klabin S.A., Cascades Inc., Shred-Tech Corporation, Reliable Paper Recycling Inc., Casepak Limited, Simply Waste Solutions Limited, American Recycling Corporation, M.W. White Ltd., St. Louis Recycling LLC, Greenobin Recycling Pvt. Ltd., Winfibre (U.K.) Company Limited, Clear Stream Recycling Inc., Recycling Revolution LLC, Total Recycling and Waste Solutions Limited.

North America was the largest region in the cardboard recycling market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in cardboard recycling report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the cardboard recycling market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Cardboard recycling is the process of collecting, sorting, and reprocessing used cardboard into new paper-based products. This process involves breaking the cardboard down into fibers, removing any contaminants, and reforming it into usable materials. The primary goal of cardboard recycling is to reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and support environmental sustainability by limiting the need for virgin paper production.

The main methods used in cardboard recycling include mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and biological recycling. Mechanical recycling involves recovering materials like plastics through physical processes such as grinding, melting, and remolding without changing their chemical composition. Cardboard recycling is categorized by type into corrugated cardboard, chipboard, kraft paperboard, and waxed cardboard. The recycling process includes several key stages: collection, sorting, shredding, pulping, and de-inking. These processes serve a variety of end-user industries, including retail, supermarkets and hypermarkets, e-commerce, specialty stores, food and beverage, automotive, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.

The cardboard recycling market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides cardboard recycling market statistics, including the cardboard recycling industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the cardboard recycling market share, detailed cardboard recycling market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cardboard recycling industry. These cardboard recycling market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The cardboard recycling market consists of sales of molded fiber packaging, recycled cardboard sheets, recycled paper rolls, and pulp-based materials. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values and are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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