Market research

Paper and paperboard waste market in Mexico

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The market for paper and paperboard waste in Mexico stood at 6 386 thousand tonnes in 2018 but contracted to 6 117 thousand tonnes in 2019. This initial decline occurred as Mexico City implemented its Zero Waste Action Plan to reduce landfill disposal, and a reformed national waste law promoted more responsible management of paper and cardboard scrap.

A recovery began in 2020, with the market expanding to 6 331 thousand tonnes. China's strict import restrictions on recyclable paper created new opportunities for domestic recycling, while the pandemic-driven surge in e‑commerce significantly increased cardboard packaging waste. Growth continued in 2021, reaching 6 460 thousand tonnes, supported by the paper industry's multi‑billion dollar investments in modernization and the ongoing implementation of waste management regulations.

The market peaked at 6 655 thousand tonnes in 2022, fueled by Mexico City's ban on single‑use plastics, which boosted demand for paper‑based alternatives, and by new state laws mandating waste separation to improve collection. However, in 2023 the volume fell to 6 254 thousand tonnes as the recycling sector faced high operating costs and stricter wastewater discharge norms, which dampened activity and demand for collected waste.

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, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Mexico
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in value, 2018-2023, $ US
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. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Mexico, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Mexico, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Mexico, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Mexico, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, $ 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, 2018-2025
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 Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, Mexico ranked as the 11th largest producer of paper and paperboard waste from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

In 2021, Mexico produced 4 629 K t of paper and paperboard waste, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.1%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 4 597 K t, which saw the largest decline of 3.9%. In contrast, 2020 recorded the highest increase at 0.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.9%)	0.7%	-	(1.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Mexico's paper and paperboard waste production volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 482.6 M $ US, marking a significant decrease of 16.5% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production fell by 31%, with a CAGR of -11.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.8%)	(4.2%)	(16.5%)	(11.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Mexico

Exports in kind, K t

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Mexico declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 28 K t, a 60.5% drop compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 86.2%, with a CAGR of -48.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(57.6%)	(17.9%)	(60.5%)	(48.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the primary destination for Mexico's paper and paperboard waste exports in kind, accounting for 74.4% of total flows, while other markets represented a smaller share.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Mexico declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Mexico exported 3.0 M $ US worth of paper and paperboard waste, reflecting a sharp decrease of 67.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 90.2%, with a CAGR of -53.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(62.0%)	(21.9%)	(67.0%)	(53.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States dominated Mexico's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms, holding a 73.0% share of total flows, with other markets playing a minor role.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Mexico

Imports in kind, K t

Mexico's paper and paperboard waste imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 1 859 K t, showing a moderate rise of 4.8% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 2.8%, equating to a 0.9% annualized rate. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 1 607 K t, which saw the largest decline of 11.1%. In 2020, imports recorded the highest increase at 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(11.1%)	10.3%	4.8%	0.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico's paper and paperboard waste imports in kind were almost entirely sourced from the United States, which accounted for 99.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Mexico's paper and paperboard waste imports increased. In 2021, Mexico imported approximately 519.0 M $ US of paper and paperboard waste, equivalent to a sharp uptick of 51.3% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports rose by 29.4%, with a CAGR of 9.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 343.0 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.8%)	(0.9%)	51.3%	9.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the key and nearly exclusive market for Mexico's paper and paperboard waste imports in value terms, accounting for 99.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io