Skip to main content
Contact Us

UK production of recovered paper (the amount recovered from businesses and households in the UK) totalled 7.8 million tonnes in 2016 (Table 3.3) a decrease of 1% from 2015. This, alongside a 1% increase in exports and a 59% drop in imports, led to an overall 10% reduction in apparent consumption from 2015 to 2016.

Table 3.3 Flow of recovered paper, 2007-2016

Year UK production Imports Exports Apparent consumption1
thousand tonnes    
2007 8617 88 4749 3956
2008 8768 74 4891 3951
2009 8155 94 4444 3805
2010 8003 115 4388 3730
2011 8036 177 4479 3733
2012 8099 160 4447 3812
2013 7901 184 4248 3837
2014 8014 136 4436 3714
2015 7912 305 4881 3336
2016 7825 125 4932 3018

Source: Confederation of Paper Industries, UK overseas trade statistics (HM Revenue & Customs).

Notes:

1. Apparent consumption of recovered paper refers to use of recycled paper pulp in the UK.

Tools & Resources
In this section
Tools & Resources