Recycling has increased by 45% (18 million t) since 1998, the base year for the first voluntary commitment set in the European Declaration on Paper Recycling by the European Recovered Paper Council (ERPC).
The European paper recycling rate is starting to level out and keeping it at a high rate is becoming progressively more challenging. Not only are quantities changing but so are the different paper consumption patterns.

The continuing sharp decline in newspaper consumption will significantly affect overall paper recycling levels, as newspapers are traditionally one of the best recycled paper products along with corrugated boxes. Conversely, tissue and sanitary paper consumption is increasing but cannot be accepted for recycl ing due to hygiene reasons. Overall, 21% of paper consumption is not recyclable or collectable.

The large majority of the 11 European countries currently still under a 60% recycling rate have reported an improved performance. In parallel, 13 European coun tries have already exceeded the targeted 70% recycling rate. Paper fibre is now recycled an average of 3.5 times in Europe , far exceeding the worldwide average of 2.4.

“Making recycling easy and simple year after year requires a huge effort by the paper value chain, and we are pleased to report the positive results ”, says ERPC chairwoman Beatrice Klose. “Despite challenging circumstances, paper recycling has continued to perform consistently well”, she concludes.