Recovery rate of paper Japan 2014-2023

In 2023, approximately 81.6 percent of waste paper was recovered in Japan. Figures increased slightly compared to about 80 percent in the previous year. Paper is an easily recyclable material and is classified as a renewable resource since it is made from wood. 

 Paper industry in Japan

Following China and the United States, Japan was the third-largest producer of paper. Even though its consumption volume of paper declined throughout the past decade, the island nation remained the third-largest consumer of paper worldwide.
In Japan, most of the manufactured paper was used for printing and communication as well as newspapers, and sanitary tissue. Nevertheless, the consumption for printing and writing papers is expected to decline, likely due to the digitalization of such products.

 Recovery of wastepaper

Paper production has a major environmental impact as it contributes to air, water, and land pollution. In recent years, there have been changes in the behavior of both businesses and consumers as environmental issues such as pollution and climate change gained importance.
To reduce waste and effectively use resources, the Japanese paper industry established a system of recycling wastepaper by using it as a raw material to produce new paper products. The recycling system is showing its effect, as the utilization rate of recovered paper in Japan increased continuously throughout the past decade, reaching over 67 percent.