Paper and paperboard waste market in Costa Rica, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for paper and paperboard waste in Costa Rica expanded from 43.3 thousand tons in 2018 to 64.9 thousand tons in 2022, driven by regulatory measures and enhanced recycling infrastructure. The Waste Management Law (No. 8839) established a framework for recovery, while municipal plans boosted the collection of valuables. A key shift occurred in 2021 when the Plastic Pollution Combat Law (No. 9786) restricted single-use plastics, favoring paper-based alternatives and increasing demand for recyclable fiber. This was reinforced in 2022 by the opening of a dedicated Tetra Pak recycling plant, which added local processing capacity and supported domestic consumption of waste paper.

Market volume fell sharply to 43.1 thousand tons in 2023 as exports rose to 68.4 thousand tons, reducing domestic availability. During this period, the government consolidated its policy framework with the National Integral Waste Management Policy 2023‑2033 and the National Circular Economy Strategy, both promoting material circularity. Regulations phasing out plastic bags and straws continued to incentivize recycled paper packaging. Into 2024, the Tetra Pak plant targeted processing 2,000 tons, and automation spread in sorting facilities, indicating ongoing development of recycling capabilities despite fluctuating trade flows.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Costa Rica produced 110.0 K t of paper and paperboard waste, showing no significant change from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase also occurred in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Paper and paperboard waste production in Costa Rica declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 17 223 K $ US, which is 6.5% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 30.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Costa Rica in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

Paper and paperboard waste shipments from Costa Rica to abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 54 798 t, reflecting a moderate decline of 10.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 21%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 71 681 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 15.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Costa Rica in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of exports in kind was scattered, with El Salvador accounting for 17.9% of exports, China for 16.5%, and Peru for 10.5%. Together, these three partners represented just 44.9% of total flows, and no single country stood out as clearly dominant.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Costa Rica declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 8 580 K $ US, which is 15.9% lower than in the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 45%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Costa Rica in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for exports in value terms of paper and paperboard waste from Costa Rica were El Salvador, accounting for 26.5% of exports, China at 14.7%, and Guatemala at 10.7%. Together, these three countries represented 51.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, paper and paperboard waste deliveries to Costa Rica were recorded at 2 874 t, down by 59.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 49.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 127 t, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 42.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Costa Rica in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala remained the leading sources in the country structure of imports in kind. Nicaragua accounted for 56.2% of imports, Honduras for 19.7%, and Guatemala for 13.4%, with a combined share of 89.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Costa Rica's paper and paperboard waste import volume totalled 437 K $ US, showing a reduction of 58.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 47.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 055 K $ US, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 42.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Costa Rica in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala formed the key group of partners for imports in value terms of paper and paperboard waste to Costa Rica. Nicaragua accounted for 54.0% of imports, Honduras for 17.3%, and Guatemala for 16.6%, jointly representing 87.9% of total flows.

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

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