Paper and paperboard waste market in the United Kingdom

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the UK paper and paperboard waste market volume showed considerable fluctuation. After increasing to 3 525 thousand tons in 2019, the market contracted to 3 023 thousand tons in 2020 due to disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused factory shutdowns. Recovery to 3 297 thousand tons in 2021 was driven by stricter government waste management regulations and infrastructure investments, such as Eurokey Recycling's £15 million supermarket recycling line.

In the following years, market volume stabilized around 3 000 thousand tons by 2023. Despite a dip in 2022, the industry continued to advance through recycling initiatives like the launch of the Cup Collective paper cup recycling program in September 2022. Technological improvements and corporate sustainability targets maintained demand for recycled paper, and in 2024, DEFRA reported a strong paper and cardboard recycling rate of 74.3%.

Production paper and paperboard waste in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom maintained the sixth position globally in terms of paper and paperboard waste production volume.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

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

Following a two-year decline, paper and paperboard waste production in the United Kingdom increased in 2021. The country produced 7 103 K t that year, marking a 6.9% rise compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, overall production decreased by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 6 647 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 9.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports paper and paperboard waste from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of reduction, paper and paperboard waste exports from the United Kingdom rebounded in 2021. Exports reached 3 964 K t, representing a 4.2% increase over the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 timeframe, exports declined by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 3 802 K t, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 13.9% decrease.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, three key markets—India, China, and Turkey—collectively accounted for 51.1% of the United Kingdom's total paper and paperboard waste exports by volume.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2021, showing a two-fold increase between these years. In 2021, the United Kingdom exported paper and paperboard waste worth 1 006 M $ US, reflecting a substantial 97.9% year-over-year growth. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 508 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 26.8% drop.

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

The export market in value terms was quite diversified from 2018 to 2021. India (22.2% of export value), China (19.4%), and Indonesia (8.2%) together represented just 49.8% of total flows, with the remaining 50.2% distributed among numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Imports paper and paperboard waste to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, K t

The import market displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. Volumes varied significantly, dropping to their lowest point in 2019 and reaching their highest in 2020, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2021, the United Kingdom imported 158 K t of paper and paperboard waste, which was 11.7% lower than the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 88 K t, while the maximum occurred in 2020 at 179 K t. The largest decline took place in 2019 with a 30.7% decrease, and the largest increase was recorded in 2020 with a 102.4% surge.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the primary sources for paper and paperboard waste imports to the United Kingdom by volume were Ireland (37.6% of imports), the United States (25.6%), and Germany (12.6%), which together accounted for 75.8% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The import market showed considerable volatility during the observed period. Values dropped to their minimum in 2019 and climbed to their maximum in 2020, representing a 2.3-fold increase between these years. In 2021, the United Kingdom imported paper and paperboard waste valued at {value_last_year} M $ US, indicating a 9.7% contraction compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 22 M $ US, while the highest was in 2020 at 50 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 21.9% decrease, and the largest increase was in 2020 with a 125.3% rise.

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

During 2018-2021, the United States (27.3% of import value), Ireland (27.3%), and Germany (18.5%) were the main sources for paper and paperboard waste imports to the United Kingdom in value terms, collectively accounting for 73.1% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021