Myth: “Only Recycled Paper Should Be Used”

Without new fibres from trees, the paper cycle cannot be maintained. During the recycling process, fibre is lost and so the paper industry needs fresh fibre from sustainably managed forests to keep the renewable cycle going.

During the collection and processing of recycled paper products, where inks, glues and coatings are separated from the fibre, an amount of this fibre is lost. Therefore the paper industry always needs a supply of fresh fibre from sustainably managed forests to keep the renewable cycle going.

Europe is the world leader when it comes to recycling paper, with 76% of paper recycled in 2025.

European Paper Recycling Council, Monitoring Report 2025

This high recycling rate means more recycled fibres are being used as a raw material by Europe’s paper producers. In 1991, paper for recycling made up 40% of fibre used, compared to 60% virgin fibre. In 2025, paper for recycling made up 59% of fibre used.¹

This growth in the use of recycled fibres has slowed down in recent years as total paper for recycling in Europe reaches its practical maximum. It is therefore likely that the current
balance of recycled and virgin fibres will remain steady.

Paper for recycling can be used in some grades more than others. For example, newsprint and some types of packaging are often made with over 80% recycled fibre. However, high-grade graphic papers have a lower utilisation rate of around 13%, as some speciality papers for technical applications, which cannot include large amounts of recycled fibre due to performance, safety or hygiene requirements.¹

The paper-making process is also a sustainable cycle. Recycled fibres are used as effectively as possible, whilst new fibres are constantly brought in to replenish and maintain the process.

In Europe, paper fibres were recycled and re-used 4 times on average in 2025.² Therefore, in the paper-making process, there is a need to continuously add virgin and recycled fibres. The use of virgin fibres ensures the strength, quality and continuous availability of paper products.

Recycling is an extremely important part of the loop and allows paper to truly recognise it’s circular qualities. Improving recycling systems and collaboration throughout the supply chain is fundamental to the success of the circular economy of the future.

A circular economy is a systemic
approach to economic development designed to benefit businesses, society and the environment. In contrast to the ‘take-make-waste’ linear model, a circular economy is regenerative by design and aims to gradually decouple growth from the consumption of finite resources.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation

The paper industry supports the circular economy by using all parts of the tree and by-products or waste produced from other wood product processes. This includes forest thinning’s, sawmill chips and saw dust, which
can all be used in the manufacture of paper.