Paper and paperboard waste market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The Colombian paper and paperboard waste market opened the period at 8 074 thousand tons in 2018, supported by the Ministry of Environment's Resolution 1407 which mandated producers to reintegrate at least 30% of packaging waste into the production cycle, creating foundational demand for recovered fiber. Market volume then declined over the next two years, reaching 7 505 thousand tons in 2020, as the full implementation of new waste separation systems, including a unified color code introduced in 2019, required time to take effect across municipalities and industries.

A clear reversal began in 2021 when the mandatory environmental management plans for packaging waste took force under the extended producer responsibility framework. This regulatory push drove market volume up to 8 238 thousand tons by 2022, a period where the domestic paper industry reported sourcing 68% of its pulp from recycled paper and board waste, underscoring the strong industrial demand. The market contracted to 7 692 thousand tons in 2023, coinciding with identified gaps in household waste segregation and traceability, which may have limited collection efficiency despite ongoing investments in recycling infrastructure.

Production paper and paperboard waste in South America

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

South America's production of paper and paperboard waste has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 7,150 thousand tonnes, marking a 2.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 7,823 thousand tonnes, which saw a modest increase of 0.5%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 6.5% decrease.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from South America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, South America exported 84.6 thousand tonnes of paper and paperboard waste, representing a 2.8% year-on-year increase. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 23.4%, averaging an 8.5% annual decrease. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 82.3 thousand tonnes, which saw a sharp decline of 48.9%. In contrast, the peak was in 2018 at 161.0 thousand tonnes, with a notable increase of 45.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South America's exports of paper and paperboard waste were not heavily concentrated in a few key markets. The top destinations—China (11.2% of exports), India (4.8%), and Guatemala (2.6%)—collectively accounted for only 18.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Paper and paperboard waste exports from South America declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 13.1 million US dollars, a significant drop of 33.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 42.9%, with an average annual decline of 17.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 33.2 million US dollars, which saw an increase of 45.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 40.7% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China (11.2% of exports by value), India (6.0%), and Guatemala (3.4%) played a notable but not dominant role as buyers of paper and paperboard waste from South America. Together, they accounted for 20.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to South America

Imports in kind, K t

After increasing for two years, South America's imports of paper and paperboard waste declined in 2020. The import volume reached 439.1 thousand tonnes, a moderate reduction of 9.1% from the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 51.9%, with an average annual increase of 15.0%. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 483.3 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase of 42.3% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for imports of paper and paperboard waste into South America were the United States (47.3% of imports), Guatemala (8.7%), and the Dominican Republic (6.7%). Together, these three countries accounted for 62.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year rise, paper and paperboard waste imports into South America declined in 2020. The region imported 94.9 million US dollars worth of waste, a substantial fall of 16.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 20.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. The highest value was in 2019 at 113.9 million US dollars, while the largest increase of 26.4% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (51.6% of imports by value), Guatemala (7.7%), and the Dominican Republic (6.4%) accounted for the largest share of imports into South America. Collectively, they made up 65.7% of total import value.

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

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