Paper Information and Resources

Recovered Paper Markets

Recovered paper markets refer to the various sources of demand for recovered paper. Most recovered paper is consumed by paper mills in the production of recycled paper or paperboard. A small percentage of recovered paper is consumed to manufacture alternative end-products such as cellulose insulation, animal bedding, and fire logs. 

Each type—or "grade"—of recovered paper can be made into various types of recycled paper products, with some grades having a broader range of end-uses than others. For example, both white office paper and low-grade mixed paper are made into recycled tissue products. However, while white office paper can be made into high-quality recycled printing and writing papers (such as copier paper), low-grade mixed paper cannot, due to the presence of "groundwood" fibers and various other contaminants.

California's recovered paper markets can be classified into three geographic regions: in-state, domestic out-of-state, and foreign. California relies heavily on foreign markets to consume its recovered paper. In 1997, California shipped about 36 percent of its recovered postconsumer paper to foreign markets.

Web Sites

American Forest & Paper Association's Forest Product Resources: This Web site is designed to establish a comprehensive clearinghouse for sharing current information about U.S. paper recycling. It is the hope of the American Forest & Paper Association that the site serves to propel U.S. paper recycling to even greater heights.

CalRecycle Publications

California Paper, Paperboard, and Pulp Mills That Consume Postconsumer Paper (Word, 43 KB)
This list identifies those recycled paper mills in California that use postconsumer paper as one of their primary feedstocks—or their exclusive feedstock (as of April 2003). Identifies types of paper manufactured and grades of recovered paper consumed. Provides mill contact information. 

Other Publications

American Recycling Markets Directory/Reference Manual (ARM). The ARM is a listing of paper recycling and other recycling-related markets and services in the U.S. The ARM contains state-by-state listings of recycling companies that process one or more of the following materials: paper stock (recovered paper), scrap metals, demolition debris, plastics, rubber, glass, used oil, and textiles. In addition, the ARM contains listings of recycled paper mills for each state. The ARM is published by Recycling Data Management Corporation.

BioCycle: Monthly journal focusing primarily on composting, but typically including one or more articles about materials recycling.

Journal of Industrial Ecology, Volume 1, Number 3 (Summer 1997): this is a special issue called "The Industrial Ecology of Paper and Wood." Individual issues are available from the publisher (MIT Press): journals-orders@mit.edu.

Official Board Markets: Weekly newsletter for corrugated and recycling news, analysis and pricing information.

Paper Stock Report: Biweekly newsletter for market news and pricing information.

Pulp & Paper: Monthly journal covering all aspects of the paper industry.

Pulp & Paper Week: Weekly newsletter covering all aspects of the paper industry, including paper recycling.

Recycling Today: Monthly journal focusing primarily on the scrap metal industry, but secondarily covering recovered paper.

Resource Recycling: Monthly journal covering all aspects of recycling, composting, and waste prevention.

Smith, Maureen, The U.S. Paper Industry and Sustainable Production: an Argument for Restructuring, MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1997

Other Resources

Information about Composting of Recovered Paper
There is growing interest in composting recovered paper that is either too contaminated for traditional paper recycling (such as fast food packaging), or which is recovered in such remote locations that it is uneconomical to transport to recycling markets.

The US Composting Council (national organization) published a fact sheet titled The Benefits of Including Paper in Composting. It is available free of charge.