United States Recovered Paper Market By Grade (Low Grade Paper, High Grade Paper, Brown Paper, Others), By Type (Printing & Writing Paper, Newsprint, Tissue, Containerboard), By End User Industry (Food & Beverage, Electrical & Electronics, Automotive, Pharmaceuticals, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

United States Recovered Paper Market was valued at 41.84 Million Tonnes in 2024 and is expected to reach 57.37 Million Tonnes by 2030 with a CAGR of 5.60%. The United States has made notable progress in advancing sustainability and environmental stewardship, with the recovered paper market serving as a clear example of this commitment. Recovered paper also known as recycled paper or paperboard plays a critical role in mitigating the environmental impact of the paper industry. It encompasses used paper and paperboard materials that are collected, processed, and converted into new products, thereby reducing reliance on virgin pulp and preserving natural resources. 

As a key segment of the broader recycling industry, the recovered paper market contributes significantly to the circular economy. By promoting resource efficiency and minimizing waste, it aligns with growing consumer and corporate demand for sustainable, eco-conscious products. Recovered paper helps lower the carbon footprint of the paper sector while conserving essential resources such as trees, water, and energy. In support of these environmental objectives, federal and state authorities have enacted a range of policies and regulations aimed at promoting recycling and minimizing landfill usage. These legislative efforts have prompted industries to elevate recycling practices and increase investment in recovered paper processing infrastructure. As sustainability continues to be a priority, the recovered paper market is expected to remain a vital component of the U.S. environmental strategy.

Key Market Drivers

Environmental Awareness and Sustainability

Environmental protection and climate change are rapidly emerging as key public policy priorities among the U.S. population, particularly among individuals aged 18 to 29. Increasing environmental awareness among consumers has led to a greater demand for eco-friendly products. People are actively seeking out products that have a lower environmental impact. Recycled paper products, made from recovered paper, are perceived as more environmentally responsible and sustainable alternatives to those made from virgin materials. Sustainability initiatives have pushed consumers and businesses to prioritize sustainable packaging solutions. This includes corrugated cardboard boxes, packaging materials, and labels made from recovered paper. As e-commerce continues to grow, the demand for sustainable packaging is on the rise, further driving the demand for recovered paper.

Currently, the paper industry is responsible for around 35% of global tree harvesting. The United States ranks among the highest paper-consuming countries worldwide. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), the average American consumes over 700 pounds of paper annually, equivalent to approximately 317 kilograms per capita. The recovered paper market directly contributes to the reduction of deforestation. As consumers and companies seek to protect forests and preserve biodiversity, the use of recovered paper helps reduce the need for cutting down trees for paper production. This aligns with the goals of environmental organizations and sustainability initiatives. Environmental awareness has prompted governments at various levels to introduce and enforce regulations aimed at reducing waste and promoting recycling. These regulations often require businesses to use recycled content in their products. As a result, industries turn to recovered paper to meet these regulatory requirements.

Surge in Technological Advancements

Modern recycling facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art sorting and screening technologies. Automated conveyor belts, optical sorters, and air classifiers help separate different types of paper, removing contaminants like plastic, glass, and metal. This advanced sorting reduces the contamination levels in recovered paper, making it more valuable and suitable for reuse. Technology allows for more precise quality control in the recycling process. Sensors and scanners can identify and eliminate low-quality or non-recyclable materials, ensuring that the recovered paper meets industry standards and customer requirements. Technological advancements have improved the processing of recovered paper into pulp, a critical step in paper and paperboard production. High-tech pulping equipment and systems can efficiently break down and de-ink recovered paper, resulting in pulp with consistent quality and purity. Kraft recovery is a critical process within the pulp and paper industry, designed to reclaim chemicals, energy, and fiber from black liquor, a byproduct of the kraft pulping method. This process plays a dual role by enhancing the industry's economic efficiency while simultaneously minimizing its environmental footprint.

Sustainable technologies have made recycling more energy efficient. Modern recycling plants are designed to minimize energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with sustainability goals. This makes recycling a more attractive option for environmentally conscious companies. Technology enables recycling facilities to collect and analyze data on their processes. This data-driven approach helps identify areas for improvement, optimize operations, and reduce costs. It also assists in meeting sustainability goals by minimizing waste and resource consumption. Technology provides supply chain visibility, allowing businesses to track the journey of their recycled materials. This transparency helps ensure the authenticity of recycled content, which is crucial for companies aiming to meet sustainability targets and provide verifiable eco-friendly products. Technological advancements in communication and outreach tools allow recycling programs and environmental organizations to engage with consumers effectively. Apps, websites, and social media platforms are used to educate the public about proper recycling practices, encouraging participation and reducing contamination.

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Key Market Challenges

Contamination Issues

Contaminants in recovered paper reduce the quality of recycled paper products. For instance, food residue can stain and degrade paper fibers, making them less suitable for high-quality paper and packaging products. Higher contamination levels can lead to an increased proportion of lower-grade paper in the recycling stream. This results in recycled paper with reduced strength, printability, and appearance, which may not meet the quality standards required by manufacturers. Removing contaminants from recovered paper requires additional processing steps and equipment.

Recycling facilities must invest in sorting and screening technologies to separate paper from non-paper materials effectively. The extra effort and resources required to reduce contamination increase the operational costs of recycling facilities. These costs can be a significant burden for recyclers, affecting their profitability and economic viability. Contaminants can damage recycling equipment and machinery, leading to increased maintenance and downtime. The presence of non-paper materials can cause jamming, wear and tear, and the need for more frequent equipment repairs.

Key Market Trends

Growth in E-commerce and Packaging Demand

One of the most prominent developments in the US recovered paper market has been the exponential growth of e-commerce. The U.S. e-commerce landscape, historically dominated by domestic online retailers, is now witnessing the emergence of two prominent foreign players: Temu and Shein. As the market continues to expand, it is projected to generate approximately USD 1.2 trillion in revenue by 2024. Looking ahead, the growing preference among U.S. consumers for online shopping is expected to drive market revenues to USD 1.8 trillion by 2029. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to online shopping, leading to an unprecedented demand for packaging materials, particularly corrugated cardboard made from recovered paper. As e-commerce continues to flourish, the need for sustainable packaging solutions is driving the demand for recovered paper in the US.

The e-commerce industry has experienced explosive growth in recent years, especially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As more consumers turn to online shopping for convenience and safety, there has been a surge in the volume of packages being shipped across the country. Each online purchase typically requires packaging materials such as corrugated cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and paper-based fillers. This increased volume of e-commerce orders has directly translated into higher demand for packaging materials, including recovered paper products.

Segmental Insights

Grade Insights

Based on Grade, High Grade Paper have emerged as the dominant segment in the United States Recovered Paper Market in 2024. Advancements in recycling technologies, especially in deinking and fiber recovery, have further enhanced the efficiency and economic viability of processing high-grade paper. These innovations allow manufacturers to extract higher yields of usable fiber, improving overall product quality while reducing waste. Additionally, the rising demand for environmentally responsible solutions in the paper and packaging industries has made high-grade recycled fiber a strategic resource. As companies aim to reduce their reliance on virgin pulp and meet sustainability targets, high-grade paper has become the preferred input due to its ability to maintain performance standards while supporting circular economy goals.

Type Insights

Based on Type, Containerboard have emerged as the fastest growing segment in the United States Recovered Paper Market in 2024. Containerboard forms the basis for corrugated boxes and packaging materials, while tissue paper encompasses a range of products from facial tissue to toilet paper. Containerboard, also known as corrugated paperboard, is a heavyweight paper primarily used in the production of corrugated boxes and packaging materials. It is the backbone of the packaging industry, providing the structural integrity needed to protect and transport a wide range of goods. The recovered paper market in the US supplies a significant portion of the fiber required for containerboard production. Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) are the primary source of recovered fiber for this segment. As e-commerce continues to thrive and the demand for sustainable packaging materials rises, the importance of OCC and containerboard production grows.

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Regional Insights

Based on Region, Midwest have emerged as the dominating region in the United States Recovered Paper Market in 2024. The Midwest region has a robust recycling culture and infrastructure. High population density and a strong focus on sustainability drive demand for recovered paper. The proximity to major ports facilitates the export of recovered paper to overseas markets, particularly in Asia. The Midwest region, which includes states like Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan, has a significant manufacturing presence, contributing to the demand for recovered paper for packaging and industrial applications. The region's paper mills rely on recovered paper as a key raw material for containerboard production. The Great Lakes region provides access to water transport, making it convenient for shipping recovered paper. 

Recent Developments 

• In May 2025, KIND Snacks, a brand recognized for its wholesome and flavorful products, launched its first curbside recyclable paper wrapper pilot in the United States. This pioneering initiative represents a major milestone in the brand’s efforts to develop recycle-ready packaging within the snack bar category. It also aligns with KIND’s broader commitment to ensuring that all packaging is designed for recyclability by 2030. The new wrapper, made from pulp-based paper, utilizes a How2Recycle pre-qualified curbside recyclable material. This innovation not only advances KIND’s sustainability objectives but also empowers consumers to make more environmentally responsible choices both at the point of purchase and in their everyday recycling habits.

Key Market Players

• International Paper
• Westrock Co
• Pratt Industries, Inc.
• Sonoco Products Company
• Cascades Inc
• Packaging Corp Of America
• Koch Industries

In this report, the United States Recovered Paper Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• United States Recovered Paper Market, By Grade:

o   Low Grade Paper

o   High Grade Paper

o   Brown Paper

o   Others

• United States Recovered Paper Market, By Type:

o   Printing & Writing Paper

o   Newsprint

o   Tissue

o   Containerboard

• United States Recovered Paper Market, By End User Industry:

o   Food & Beverage

o   Electrical & Electronics

o   Automotive

o   Pharmaceuticals

o   Others

• United States Recovered Paper Market, By Region:

o   Northeast 

o   Midwest 

o   West 

o   South 

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the United States Recovered Paper Market.

Available Customizations:

United States Recovered Paper Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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