Market research

Paper and paperboard waste market in Americas

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Americas" region includes following countries:

Bermuda

Canada

Greenland

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

the United States

Argentina

Bolivia

Bouvet Island

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

French Guiana

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Antigua and Barbuda

the Bahamas

Barbados

British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Cuba

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Grenada

Guadeloupe

Haiti

Jamaica

Martinique

Montserrat

Curacao

Aruba

Saint Maarten (Dutch part)

Bonaire

Puerto Rico

Saint-Barthélemy

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Anguilla

Saint Lucia

Saint-Martin (French Part)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

Turks and Caicos Islands

United States Virgin Islands

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for paper and paperboard waste in the Americas fluctuated, starting at 62.3 million tons in 2018, dipping to a low of 58.0 million tons in 2020, and recovering to a peak of 63.1 million tons in 2022 before declining again to 58.2 million tons in 2023.

The market contraction in 2023 was influenced by ongoing fundamental stresses at mills, printing, and paperboard converting companies, which created uncertainty and disrupted operations. Concurrently, significant price increases for scrap paper and corrugated materials, doubling in some areas, impacted profitability and dampened market activity.

Entering 2024, the market landscape was shaped by the launch of new manufacturing capacities, particularly in containerboard and packaging mills, driven by e-commerce and sustainability demands. Stricter waste management laws and extended producer responsibility mandates also came into effect, incentivizing businesses to enhance their recycling practices.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Americas
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Americas in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bermuda in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Bermuda by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bermuda in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Bermuda by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bermuda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bermuda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bermuda in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Bermuda by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bermuda in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Bermuda by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bermuda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bermuda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bermuda in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Bermuda by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bermuda in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Bermuda by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Bermuda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Bermuda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bermuda in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Bermuda by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bermuda in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Bermuda by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Bermuda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Bermuda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production paper and paperboard waste in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Paper and paperboard waste production in the Americas declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 57 271 thousand tons, representing a 4.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.3%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 63 632 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.7% drop, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 at 0.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.6%	(5.7%)	(4.6%)	(3.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, paper and paperboard waste production in the Americas increased in value terms. In 2020, production was valued at 7 985 million US dollars, marking a 2.0% rise compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 23%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 828 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 24.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.7%)	(24.0%)	2.0%	(8.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

Paper and paperboard waste export volumes from the Americas declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 750 thousand tons, a 19.5% reduction compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 40.9%, with an average annual decline of 16.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.1%)	(15.4%)	(19.5%)	(16.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, paper and paperboard waste exports from the Americas were distributed across a wide range of markets. China accounted for 27.7% of exports in kind, India for 15.4%, and South Korea for 3.7%. Together, these three countries represented 46.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Americas in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Paper and paperboard waste shipments from the Americas declined in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 244.0 million US dollars, a substantial 14.0% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 49.7%, with an average annual decline of 20.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Americas in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.2%)	(31.8%)	(14.0%)	(20.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, paper and paperboard waste exports from the Americas in value terms were spread across numerous countries. China accounted for 23.5% of export value, India for 10.2%, and South Korea for 3.6%. Collectively, these three markets represented 37.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Americas in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 213 thousand tons, while the highest occurred in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.3 times. In 2020, imports reached 2 513 thousand tons, a moderate 3.4% increase year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 56.6%, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 100.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(56.6%)	100.4%	3.4%	(3.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Americas in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Paper and paperboard waste import volumes in the Americas declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 611.8 million US dollars, representing a gradual 4.1% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.4%, with an average annual decline of 1.5%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 703.5 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.3%, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 at 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Americas in value, 2017-2020, M $ US