The Global Paper Recycling Market was valued at USD 52.79 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 70.45 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.7% during the forecast period (2023–2030). This growth is being driven by rising environmental awareness, stringent government regulations on waste management, the expansion of the packaging industry due to e-commerce, and the increasing demand for sustainable materials in printing, writing, and newsprint sectors.

As the recycling sector evolves toward a circular economy and enhanced sustainability practices, the spotlight is on the major players who are innovating in waste collection, processing technologies, and the production of high-quality recycled paper products. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Paper Recycling Market—a blend of waste management leaders, specialized recyclers, and integrated paper producers transforming scrap into valuable resources for a greener planet.

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🔟 1. Waste Management, Inc.

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Paper collection services, sorting facilities, and recycled fiber processing for packaging and tissue products

Waste Management stands as one of the largest providers of comprehensive waste management and environmental services globally, with a strong emphasis on paper recycling. The company operates extensive collection networks and advanced material recovery facilities (MRFs) that process millions of tons of paper waste annually, diverting it from landfills and converting it into reusable fibers. Their integrated approach supports municipalities, businesses, and manufacturers in achieving sustainability goals, while their technology-driven sorting ensures high purity in recycled outputs. Because of their scale, Waste Management handles everything from curbside collection to partnerships with paper mills, making them a cornerstone in North America’s recycling ecosystem.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Recycled over 10 million tons of paper in 2023, reducing landfill use by 25%

• Committed to zero-waste goals by 2040 through advanced recycling technologies

• Partnerships with NGOs to educate communities on proper paper sorting and recycling

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9️⃣ 2. Republic Services, Inc.

Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Key Offering: Commercial and residential paper waste collection, recycling processing, and resale of recovered materials

Republic Services is a key player in the North American market, managing vast amounts of paper waste through its network of over 200 recycling centers. They specialize in diverting office paper, cardboard, and mixed paper from the waste stream, processing it into high-grade recycled content for industries like packaging and hygiene products. Their operations emphasize efficiency, using automated sorting lines to handle the growing volumes from urban centers and e-commerce logistics. However, what sets Republic apart is their focus on data analytics to optimize collection routes, which not only cuts costs but also minimizes carbon emissions associated with transportation.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Achieved 80% diversion rate for recyclable paper in key markets

• Investments in AI-driven sorting to improve recovery of corrugated cardboard

• Collaborations with brands to close the loop on recycled content in consumer goods

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8️⃣ 3. International Paper Company

Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Recycled paperboard production, containerboard manufacturing, and integrated recycling supply chains

International Paper is a global leader in sustainable forestry and paper products, with recycling at the heart of its operations. They collect and process old corrugated containers (OCC) and other paper grades to produce recycled paperboard used in boxes, displays, and food packaging. Operating in over 24 countries, their mills incorporate up to 80% recycled fiber, meeting the demands of eco-conscious consumers and businesses alike. The company’s commitment extends to vertical integration, where they control the entire recycling loop from collection to final product.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Utilized 3.5 million tons of recycled fiber in 2023

• Targets 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2030

• Global reforestation programs to balance paper consumption with sustainable sourcing

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7️⃣ 4. Veolia Environment

Headquarters: Aubervilliers, France
Key Offering: Industrial paper waste management, de-inking and pulping services, and resource recovery solutions

Veolia is a French multinational renowned for its resource recovery and waste management expertise, particularly in Europe and beyond. They handle complex paper recycling for industrial clients, including de-inking processes to transform printed waste into clean pulp for newsprint and tissue. With operations in 59 countries, Veolia’s facilities process diverse paper types, from magazines to office waste, turning potential pollutants into valuable assets. Because of their emphasis on circular economy principles, Veolia designs tailored solutions that reduce environmental impact while generating economic value.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Recovered 4.2 million tons of paper globally in recent years

• Goal to recycle 100% of collected paper waste by 2025

• Innovative biogas production from paper processing byproducts

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6️⃣ 5. Sonoco Recycling

Headquarters: Hartsville, South Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Collection and brokerage of paper fibers, custom recycling programs, and supply to paper converters

Sonoco Recycling, a division of Sonoco Products Company, excels in the brokerage and processing of recovered paper, serving manufacturers across the Americas. They focus on high-volume streams like corrugated cardboard and mixed paper, using their network of over 50 facilities to ensure rapid turnaround and quality control. This specialized approach supports the packaging industry’s shift toward sustainable materials. Furthermore, Sonoco’s programs encourage corporate clients to implement on-site recycling, reducing haulage distances and emissions.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Processed 2.8 million tons of paper annually

• Certifications under FSC and SFI for sustainable fiber management

• Educational outreach to boost recycling rates in underserved areas

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5️⃣ 6. DS Smith Plc

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Recycled packaging solutions, paper mill operations using 100% recycled fiber, and waste collection services

DS Smith is a European powerhouse in sustainable packaging, leveraging recycled paper to produce corrugated solutions for retail and logistics. Their mills across Europe process old paper into strong, lightweight materials that meet rigorous performance standards while cutting resource use. With a closed-loop system, they recycle customer returns directly back into production. This integrated model not only minimizes waste but also fosters innovation in design, such as lightweight boxes that save on transportation fuel.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Over 80% of products made from recycled materials

• Target to eliminate plastic in packaging by 2025

• Partnerships with retailers for take-back recycling programs

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4️⃣ 7. Cascades Inc.

Headquarters: Kingsey Falls, Quebec, Canada
Key Offering: Recovered paper processing, eco-friendly containerboard, and tissue products from recycled fibers

Cascades is a family-owned Canadian company dedicated to sustainable paper solutions, operating over 80 units worldwide. They specialize in converting mixed paper and newsprint into premium products, with a strong focus on North American and European markets. Their eco-design approach ensures that recycling yields durable, high-value outputs. However, Cascades goes further by investing in energy-efficient pulping technologies that lower water and energy consumption.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Recycles 90% of input materials in their processes

• Aims for carbon neutrality by 2030 across operations

• Community programs to enhance local recycling infrastructure

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3️⃣ 8. Remondis SE & Co. KG

Headquarters: Lünen, Germany
Key Offering: Selective paper collection, high-tech sorting, and resale to paper industries in Europe and Asia

Remondis is Germany’s largest recycling company, excelling in the recovery of office paper, magazines, and cardboard through specialized collection services. Their advanced facilities use optical sorting to separate grades efficiently, supplying clean fibers to mills for newsprint and writing paper production. Operating in 25 countries, they bridge the gap between waste generators and end-users. Their strength lies in compliance with EU directives on waste hierarchy, promoting reuse over disposal.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Handled 5 million tons of paper waste in 2023

• Zero landfill policy for recyclable paper streams

• R&D in chemical recycling for hard-to-process paper composites

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2️⃣ 9. Heinzel Group

Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
Key Offering: Pulp production from recycled paper, specialty papers, and integrated recycling operations in Central Europe

Heinzel Group focuses on the production of testliner and kraftliner from wastepaper, serving the corrugated packaging sector. Their mills in Austria, Hungary, and Poland process OCC and mixed grades, producing over 1 million tons annually. This regional expertise allows them to respond quickly to market demands for sustainable board materials. Furthermore, Heinzel’s energy recovery from processing residues enhances overall efficiency, aligning with Europe’s green deal objectives.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• 100% recycled fiber in core product lines

• Reduction of water usage by 30% through closed-loop systems

• Collaborations with waste collectors to expand collection networks

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1️⃣ 10. Perlen Papier AG

Headquarters: Perlen, Switzerland
Key Offering: Newsprint and magazine paper from 100% recycled fibers, with full vertical integration from collection to printing

Perlen Papier is a Swiss pioneer in recycled graphic papers, producing high-quality newsprint using de-inked waste from Europe. Their state-of-the-art mill processes 500,000 tons of paper waste yearly, delivering products that rival virgin paper in brightness and strength. As the only such facility in Switzerland, they supply major publishers committed to sustainability. What makes them top is their holistic approach, including own collection services and energy self-sufficiency from biomass.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Zero waste to landfill, with all residues repurposed

• Carbon-neutral production certified since 2015

• Innovation in waterless de-inking to conserve resources

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Paper Recycling Is More Sustainable and Efficient

The paper recycling market is undergoing a dynamic shift. Although virgin paper still holds a share, the sector is channeling significant investments into advanced sorting technologies, expanded collection networks, and higher recycled content standards to combat deforestation and emissions.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Expansion of digital tracking for transparent supply chains in Europe and the US

• Government incentives for higher recycling rates, targeting 70% in key economies by 2030

• Growth in bio-based additives to enhance recycled paper quality

• Strategic alliances between recyclers and manufacturers for closed-loop systems

Read Full Report: Paper Recycling Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only managing global paper waste—they’re pioneering the circular revolution in resource conservation.