Only Recycled Paper Should Be Used

During the collection and processing of recycled paper products, where inks, glues and coatings are separated from the fibre, an amount of this fibre is lost. Therefore the paper industry always needs a supply of fresh fibre from sustainably managed forests to keep the renewable cycle going.

Europe is the world leader when it comes to recycling paper, with 71% of paper recycled in 2022.

Cepi, Key Statistics, 2022

This high recycling rate means more recycled fibres are being used as a raw material by Europe’s paper producers. In 1991, paper for recycling made up 40% of the fibre used, compared to 60% virgin fibre. In 2022, paper for recycling made up 49% of the fibre used, compared to 51% virgin fibre.[1]

This growth in the use of recycled fibres has slowed down in recent years as total paper for recycling in Europe reaches its practical maximum. It is therefore likely that the current balance of recycled and virgin fibres will remain steady.

Paper for recycling can be used in some grades more than others. For example, newsprint and some types of packaging are often made with over 90% recycled fibre. However, high-grade graphic papers have a lower utilisation rate of around 26%, as do some speciality papers for technical applications, which cannot include large amounts of recycled fibre due to performance, safety or hygiene requirements.[1]

The paper-making process is also a sustainable cycle. Recycled fibres are used as effectively as possible, whilst new fibres are constantly brought in to replenish and maintain the process.

In Europe, paper fibres were recycled and re-used 3.5 times on average in 2022 (world average 2.5 times).[2] Therefore, in the paper-making process, there is a need to continuously add virgin and recycled fibres. The use of virgin fibres ensures the strength, quality and continuous availability of paper products.

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