Paper-based Packaging & The Circular Economy

The latest CEPI data reveals that both the demand for and the recycling rates of, paper-based packaging rose in 2021. What was driving these trends?

Demand for Paper-based Packaging

The demand for paper-based packaging was primarily due to two key factors:

1. A rapid shift towards e-commerce during the pandemic, which has remained buoyant, even when physical stores reopened. Cardboard boxes are the main means of shipping orders, as they are lightweight, affordable, easy to print and widely recycled.
2. The EU Single Use Plastic Directive, which incentivised a shift away from plastic packaging. This increased demand for paper bags, paper wraps and paper-based void fillers.

EU Recycling Rates for Paper & Cardboard

Greater awareness of recycling and investment in European paper recycling plants are two reasons why the collection and recycling rates rose in 2021.

In total, 55.4million tonnes of paper-based packaging were collected. Of this, 50.7million tonnes were recycled in the EU and a further 6.9million tonnes was exported for recycling. The paper pulp is processed and used to manufacture more paper-based packaging and newsprint. This shows the significant role that the industry is playing in the circular economy.

 

The full CEPI report can be read here: https://www.cepi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Key-Statistics-2021-Final.pdf