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.

Other 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.

Board Publications

California Paper, Paperboard, and Pulp Mills That Consume Postconsumer Paper
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. 

"Consideration of the Calculation of the Preliminary 1998 and Revised 1997 California Postconsumer Paper Recovery Rate" (Board Agenda Item 19, November 1999): This Board staff report presents the preliminary (subject to revision) 1998 and the revised 1997 California recovery rate for postconsumer paper overall, as well as for old corrugated containers (cardboard) and old newspapers individually. The report describes key market factors that affected the 1998 recovery rates. This was the last calculation of California's postconsumer paper recovery rate that the Board has performed to date.

The most informative Board publication addressing California recovered paper markets is the 1996 Market Status Report: Recovered Paper. Though time-based data is clearly outdated, the publication provides a still-current overview of California paper recycling markets. Additionally, the report provides staff recommendations on Board actions that could help overcome barriers to increasing recovered paper demand and supply.

Other Publications

American Recycling Markets Directory/Reference Manual (ARM). The ARM is the most comprehensive 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, P.O. Box 577, Ogdensburg, New York 13669-0577; (800) 267-0707.

The Board makes available on request, with permission from the publisher, the list of California paper stock recycling companies from the ARM.

BioCycle: Monthly journal focusing primarily on composting, but typically including one or more articles about materials recycling. 419 State Avenue, Emmaus, Pennsylvania 18049; (610) 967-4135

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, (617) 253-2889

Official Board Markets: 312 West Randolph Street, Suite 600, Chicago, Illinois 60606-1721; (312) 553-8922; Fax: (312) 553-8926

Paper Stock Report: Biweekly newsletter. 13727 Holland Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44142-3920; (216) 362-7979; Fax: (216) 362-4623

Pulp & Paper: Monthly journal covering all aspects of the paper industry. 525 Market Street, Suite 500, San Francisco, California 94105; (800) 289-0969; (415) 278-5370; Fax: (415) 278-5371

Pulp & Paper Week: Weekly newsletter covering all aspects of the paper industry, including paper recycling. 525 Market Street, Suite 500, San Francisco, California 94105; (800) 289-0969; (415) 278-5370; Fax: (415) 278-5371

Recycling Today: Monthly journal focusing primarily on the scrap metal industry, but secondarily covering recovered paper. 4012 Bridge Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44413-3320; (800) 456-0707; Fax: (216) 961-0364

Resource Recycling: Monthly journal covering all aspects of recycling, composting, and waste prevention. P.O. Box 10540, Portland, Oregon 97210; (503) 227-1319; Fax: (503) 227-6135

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 American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and the National Audubon Society published a report, Recovery of Paper Through Composting ICI Residuals and the MSW Stream, which contains information about the status of such efforts nationwide. The report is available for $35 from AF&PA. Call (800) 244-3090 to order.

AF&PA and the National Audubon Society also produced a video titled "Paper Composting: A Growing Opportunity." The video is available for $15 from AF&PA. Call (800) 244-3090 to order.

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

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