Waste Paper Recycling Market Report 2025

The waste paper recycling market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $48.18 billion in 2024 to $51.36 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth during the historical period was driven by increased environmental awareness, rising demand for recycled packaging, greater waste paper generation, increased utilization of secondary fibers in paper mills, and higher usage in the printing industry.

The waste paper recycling market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $65.62 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. Factors fueling growth during the forecast period include increasing packaging needs driven by digital commerce, growing restrictions on single-use plastics, stronger consumer preferences for eco-friendly products, wider implementation of smart collection systems, and heightened emphasis on zero-waste production. Key trends expected in the forecast period include innovations in sorting technology, the development of energy-efficient recycling methods, advancement in bio-based additives, the use of blockchain to enhance waste tracking, and the emergence of waterless recycling processes.

The increasing demand for recycled paper products is expected to propel the growth of the waste paper recycling market going forward. Recycled paper products refer to items made from paper that has been reprocessed from used or waste paper instead of using new raw materials. The increasing demand for recycled paper products is due to growing environmental awareness, as more people and businesses seek to reduce waste and conserve natural resources. Waste paper recycling provides the essential raw materials and reduces the need for virgin fiber, thereby enabling the production of sustainable and high-quality recycled paper products. For instance, in August 2023, according to the American Forest and Paper Association, a US-based trade association, in 2022, over 93% of cardboard boxes were recycled, marking an increase compared to the recycling rate in 2021. Therefore, the rising demand for recycled paper products is driving the growth of the waste paper recycling market.

Leading companies in the waste paper recycling market are concentrating on launching new solutions like sustainable packaging to address environmental concerns and align with consumer preferences for eco-friendly goods. These eco-conscious packaging options, crafted entirely from recycled paper, contribute to the growth of waste paper recycling by increasing the need for reused fibers and minimizing dependency on virgin resources. For example, in October 2023, Versuni B.V., a consumer electronics firm based in the Netherlands, launched 100% recycled and recyclable paper packaging for its Philips product line. The redesigned packaging for Philips home appliances is strong enough for shipping without extra protection and uses 65% less ink due to reduced printing. It also includes QR codes instead of printed manuals, giving customers digital access to product instructions and information. Additionally, the packaging dimensions have been optimized to limit waste and eliminate unused space.

In January 2025, International Paper Company, a US-based manufacturing firm, acquired DS Smith for $7.2 billion. With this acquisition, International Paper aims to strengthen its leadership in sustainable packaging solutions and expand its presence across North America and Europe. DS Smith Plc is a UK-based packaging company that specializes in recycling waste paper and cardboard to produce sustainable, recyclable packaging.

Major players in the waste paper recycling market are Veolia Environnement S.A., International Paper Company, Waste Management Inc., Smurfit Kappa Group Plc, Republic Services Inc., UPM-Kymmene Oyj, Stora Enso Oyj, Mondi Plc, Sonoco Products Company, Heinzel Holding GmbH, Cascades Inc., LEIPA Group, Remondis SE And Co. KG, Wasco Co. Ltd., Beston Group Co. Ltd., Perlen Papier AG, ST Paper LLC, Sustana Group, Kokusai Pulp And Paper Co. Ltd., and Global Waste Recyclers Limited.

North America was the largest region in the waste paper recycling market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in waste paper recycling report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the waste paper recycling market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The quick escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting strain in trade relations in spring 2025 are considerably influencing the Paper, Plastics, Rubber, Wood And Textile sector by inflating costs for imported pulp, resin, synthetic rubber, lumber, and cotton key inputs with limited domestic substitutes. Packaging manufacturers, for example, now pay more for plastic films and corrugated materials, squeezing margins in an already price-sensitive market. Textile producers face similar challenges, as tariffs on imported yarns and dyes compound pressures from rising labor costs. Some firms are shifting to recycled materials or biodegradable alternatives, while others consolidate suppliers to negotiate bulk discounts.

Waste paper recycling involves gathering, categorizing, and transforming used paper into new paper goods. This process supports waste reduction, conserves natural resources, and decreases environmental harm by reusing paper fibers rather than manufacturing paper from virgin raw materials.

The primary categories of waste paper recycling include corrugated cardboard, newspapers, magazines, white office paper, and mixed paper. Corrugated cardboard, widely used in shipping and packaging, consists of a fluted corrugated sheet positioned between two flat linerboards, making it both sturdy and lightweight. Waste paper products include newsprint, containerboard, kraft paper, boxboard, and tissue paper. Wastepaper is sourced from post-consumer waste, post-industrial waste, commercial waste, residential waste, and construction waste. The recycling methods encompass mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, composting, energy recovery, and bio-ethanol production. These recycled materials are utilized across several industries such as pulp and paper, packaging, printing, consumer goods, and construction.

The waste paper recycling market research report is one of a series of new reports that cover waste paper recycling market statistics, including the waste paper recycling industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with the waste paper recycling market share, detailed waste paper recycling market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the waste paper recycling market. This waste paper 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 waste paper recycling market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as collection, sorting, processing, de-inking, and repurposing. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The waste paper recycling market also includes sales of cardboard, craft paper, molded fiber products, and insulation 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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