Europe recycled 76.4% of its paper in 2025, the same rate as the year before, according to the latest monitoring report from the European Paper Recycling Council (EPRC). The figure covers paper and board products across the value chain, from graphic paper to packaging and tissue.

The result keeps the region on course for the EPRC's 2030 target of 76%, set under the European Declaration on Paper Recycling 2021–2030.

Across the EU, the UK, Norway and Switzerland, 53.9 million tonnes of paper and board were collected for recycling in 2025, down 0.3% from the previous year.

Recycling remains above 70% in most European countries

The report shows that 20 European countries recorded recycling rates above 70% in 2025, compared with 17 countries in 2024, while three countries remained below 60%.

Since 1998, paper recycling in Europe has increased by 34.4%, equivalent to an additional 13.8 million tonnes recycled, concurrently, paper and board consumption has declined from its peak in 2007, returning to levels last seen in the 1990s.

The report also distinguishes between the overall recycling rate and domestic recycling.

Excluding net trade, the domestic recycling rate stood at 65.8% in 2025. European paper mills used 46.3 million tonnes of paper for recycling, while 7.5 million tonnes, representing 14% of the total collected volume, were exported to countries outside the EPRC commitment region.

Paper for recycling flows increasingly target Asia

Exports of paper for recycling outside Europe increased by 13.9% compared to 2024. China, previously a major destination, accounted for close to zero demand for European paper for recycling in 2025, while India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand were among the main destinations.

Looking ahead, the EPRC identifies collection, sorting, design for recycling and recyclability testing as key areas for further progress. The report also points to the development of common recyclability criteria under European standardization, which are expected to support future requirements under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

The EPRC’s 2021–2030 declaration aims to maintain Europe’s position as a leading paper recycling region while advancing waste prevention, recyclability, research and innovation across the paper value chain.

In 2025, Members of the EPRC are Cepi, the International Confederation of Paper and Board Converters in Europe (CITPA), the European Moulded Fibre Association (EMFA), the European Tissue Symposium (ETS), the European Envelope manufacturers (FEPE), the Food and Beverage Cartons Alliance (FBCA), the International Association of the Deinking Industry (INGEDE) and the European Federation for Print and Digital Communication (INTERGRAF). Supporters are Afera, EuPIA, FINAT, FEICA, IRLA and RadTECH Europe.

The environment (DG Environment) and industry (DG Grow) departments of the European Commission are permanent observers to the EPRC.

Visit Cepi to download the EPRC monitoring report 2025