Europe’s Paper Recycling Rate Remains at 76.4% in 2025

Europe continues to demonstrate strong performance in paper recycling. The European Paper Recycling Council (EPRC) reports that Europe recycled 76.4% of its paper and board in 2025.

This result highlights the strength of Europe’s established paper recycling system. Decades of cooperation have helped build effective collection, sorting and recycling systems across the paper value chain.

More than 53 million tonnes of paper recycled

Europe’s paper industry collected and recycled 53.9 million tonnes of paper and board in 2025. Consumption reached 70.5 million tonnes.

Both figures fell slightly from the previous year. Recycling volumes decreased by 0.3%, while consumption dropped by 0.4%. As both declined at a similar rate, the overall paper recycling rate remained stable at 76.4%.

The EPRC calculates the recycling rate by comparing recycled paper, including net trade in paper for recycling, with paper and board consumption.

Paper packaging achieves an 86.6% recycling rate

Paper packaging continues to deliver strong recycling results. The EU average recycling rate for paper packaging reached 86.6% in 2025.

The majority of European countries surveyed also maintained paper recycling rates above 70%. These figures reinforce Europe’s position as a global leader in paper recycling.

Effective collection systems help recover used paper for recycling. Paper mills then use these recovered fibres to manufacture new paper products. Cooperation across the value chain helps keep valuable materials in circulation.

Improving Europe’s paper recycling system

Europe’s paper recycling system has achieved consistently high recycling rates. However, the industry must continue to improve collection systems and product recyclability.

The EPRC also highlights the importance of eco-design. Designing products with recycling in mind can help improve their end-of-life performance.

Innovation and cooperation will remain essential to future progress. The paper value chain must continue to balance the supply of recovered paper with demand from paper mills.

Paper recycling plays an important role in the circular economy. Alongside responsible sourcing, efficient manufacturing and thoughtful product design, it helps keep valuable fibres in use.

Read the full report: EPRC Monitoring Report 2025

Join the community

By signing up for the Two Sides newsletter, you join 70,000 industry professionals getting up-to-date sustainability news from across the print, paper and paper packaging industry.

Sign me up!