Paper and paperboard waste market in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for paper and paperboard waste in Latin America and the Caribbean began the period at 14 703 thousand tonnes in 2018. Collection relied heavily on independent base recyclers or primary recoverers, particularly in countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru focusing on paper and cardboard recovery. The market volume then dipped to 14 292 thousand tonnes in 2019 and held nearly stable at 14 289 thousand tonnes through 2020.

A turnaround started in 2021 as the market expanded to 14 698 thousand tonnes. This growth was supported by a 5.8% rise in regional paper and cardboard production, driven by packaging and tissue demand, which increased waste generation. Further momentum came in 2022, with the market reaching 15 335 thousand tonnes. Paper and cardboard output hit a record 27 million tonnes, up 21% year-on-year, while new circular economy policies and incentives for secondary raw materials encouraged greater recovery and recycling.

After the peak, the market contracted to 14 364 thousand tonnes in 2023. By 2024, the landscape included significant investments, such as Mondi's acquisition of a Grupo Burgo plant to shift production to recycled packaging board, and regulatory shifts like single-use plastic bans in several countries, which bolstered demand for recycled paper and cardboard packaging.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Latin America and the Caribbean

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

Paper and paperboard waste production in Latin America and the Caribbean fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 12 317 K t, marking a slight decline of 1.0% from 2019. Looking at the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 4.8%, with an average annual decrease of 1.6%. The highest output was in 2018 at 13 145 K t, which saw a 1.6% increase. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 5.3% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Paper and paperboard waste production in Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 956 M $ US, down 9.6% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 23.8%, translating to an average annual decline of 8.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of paper and paperboard waste from Latin America and the Caribbean decreased for the second straight year. In 2020, exports stood at 454 K t, a 9.7% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 38.7%, with an average annual decrease of 15.1%. The peak was in 2018 at 790 K t, which saw a 6.6% increase. The largest decline happened in 2019, with a 36.3% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for paper and paperboard waste in kind was highly diversified. China accounted for 14.9% of exports, the United States for 14.8%, and India for 7.6%, together making up just 37.3% of total flows. The remaining 62.7% was spread across a wide range of smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported paper and paperboard waste volumes from Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 72.2 M $ US, showing a sharp decrease of 17.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 50.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 21.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of trading partners. China held 14.4% of exports, the United States 13.8%, and India 6.9%, collectively accounting for only 35.1% of total flows. The remaining 64.9% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean imported a total of value_last_year} K t of paper and paperboard waste, indicating a modest rise of 3.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 19.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 15.7%, while the largest decline was in 2019 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States consistently led as the top supplier of paper and paperboard waste in kind to Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 87.0% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The volume of paper and paperboard waste imports into Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 485.3 M $ US, representing a controlled drop of 5.7% from a year earlier. The highest value was in 2018 at 545.3 M $ US, which saw a 10.9% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States maintained the top position among suppliers of paper and paperboard waste to Latin America and the Caribbean, with a share of 85.9%.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020