Paper and paperboard waste market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Canadian paper and paperboard waste market was significantly affected by China's decision to close its market to recyclables, imposing a strict 1% contamination limit on newsprint. This forced Canadian exporters to rapidly redirect mixed paper shipments to alternative destinations like India and Malaysia, initially supporting export volumes. However, by 2020, reduced imports from India combined with the ongoing export restrictions triggered a recycling crisis, leading to surpluses of mixed paper in Quebec and contributing to a decline in market size to 2 073 thousand tonnes.

From 2021 onward, regulatory shifts drove a market expansion. The introduction of extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations in Quebec, which mandated collection and recycling of packaging and printed paper, alongside the federal ban on single-use plastic bags that increased demand for paper bags, stimulated both collection and processing. These measures, along with the modernization of selective collection systems, helped push production to 3 859 thousand tonnes in 2022 and lifted the overall market size to 3 178 thousand tonnes by 2023, despite some pressure from falling recycled paper prices due to oversupply.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada ranked 19th globally in the production of paper and paperboard waste.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Canada produced 2 754 K t of paper and paperboard waste, marking a modest decline of 4.2% from the previous year. Production peaked in 2019 at 2 876 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Canada's paper and paperboard waste production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 315.9 M $ US, down 5.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 13.1%, averaging an annual decrease of 4.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 372.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2.6%. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 10.2%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of paper and paperboard waste from Canada fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume was 1 498 K t, a notable decrease of 11.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 40.3%, with an average annual decline of 15.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, China, and India were the top destinations for Canada's paper and paperboard waste exports by volume. The United States accounted for 34.0% of exports, China for 32.2%, and India for 18.2%, together making up 84.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of paper and paperboard waste exports from Canada declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 171.8 M $ US, a substantial drop of 12.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 49.1%, with an average annual decrease of 20.2%.

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

In 2017-2020, the United States, China, and India were the main destinations for Canada's paper and paperboard waste exports by value. The United States held a 47.0% share, China 27.6%, and India 11.8%, collectively accounting for 86.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

The import market showed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with an 838-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Canada imported 817 K t of paper and paperboard waste, a sharp reduction of 25.2% year-over-year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 293 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 83 682.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the nearly exclusive supplier of paper and paperboard waste to Canada, accounting for 99.8% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Canada's imports of paper and paperboard waste were valued at 126.5 M $ US, up 2.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 14.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 123.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual drop of 22.2%. The highest value was in 2018 at 158.2 M $ US, with the largest annual increase of 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, paper and paperboard waste imports to Canada were heavily concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 99.6% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020