Sustainability and Circularity

The European paper industry is building on decades of work done to make its industrial model sustainable and circular, making it one of the most sustainable industries in Europe. It relies on raw materials, pulp derived from processing wood, which is intrinsically sustainable as it comes from sustainably managed forests; it has achieved a 31% decarbonisation from 2005 to date and it has become and anchor industry for industrial symbiosis, sharing materials, energy heat and water. One of our initiatives under sustainability is 4evergreen, the alliance to boost the contribution of fibre-based packaging in a circular and sustainable economy that minimises climate and environmental impact.

Paper is recycled at a rate of 71.4% (2021 data) in Europe, which is the highest recycling rate for paper in the world. Paper based packaging is even recycled at 82%. More paper based packaging is recycled than all other packaging materials combined. The paper industry thrives to further increase recycling and material use of recycling residues through the sharing of best practises and the development of cross-sectorial alliances.

For information on paper recycling, visit www.paperforrecycling.eu.

Activities

Press release:  The Paper value chain reached a 71.4% recycling rate in 2021

Press release: The Paper value chain reached a 71.4% recycling rate in 2021

Press release: EU Commission proposals on mandatory reductions risk causing greater uncertainty for industry in case of gas supply disruptions

Press release: EU Commission proposals on mandatory reductions risk causing greater uncertainty for industry in case of gas supply disruptions

Press release: Cepi welcomes EU Parliament’s ITRE Committee vote on a revised Renewable Energy Directive, but implementation of the cascading use principle must be left to Member States

Press release: Cepi welcomes EU Parliament’s ITRE Committee vote on a revised Renewable Energy Directive, but implementation of the cascading use principle must be left to Member States

Press release: EU Parliament ENVI Committee vote shows deforestation is taken seriously, but some new rules would be hard to implement

Press release: EU Parliament ENVI Committee vote shows deforestation is taken seriously, but some new rules would be hard to implement

Press release: Cepi annual statistics show factors behind the resilience and strong performance of the European pulp and paper industry

Press release: Cepi annual statistics show factors behind the resilience and strong performance of the European pulp and paper industry

Press release:   The Paper value chain is ready to take circularity to a new level with 2030 recycling rate target

Press release: The Paper value chain is ready to take circularity to a new level with 2030 recycling rate target

Press release:   The EU Parliament shows ambition on forest sinks, not on materials substitution

Press release: The EU Parliament shows ambition on forest sinks, not on materials substitution

How does the competitive European industry contribute to climate neutrality?

How does the competitive European industry contribute to climate neutrality?

Press release:  A series of EU Parliament votes on Fit for 55 sends wrong signals on industry decarbonisation & bioeconomy development

Press release: A series of EU Parliament votes on Fit for 55 sends wrong signals on industry decarbonisation & bioeconomy development

Infographic: How fibre-based packaging contributes to the circular economy

Infographic: How fibre-based packaging contributes to the circular economy

Press release: Forest fibre could be the future of Europe’s textile industry

Press release: Forest fibre could be the future of Europe’s textile industry

Press release:  EU Commission Proposal for a Regulation on ecodesign underlines important principles of sustainability

Press release: EU Commission Proposal for a Regulation on ecodesign underlines important principles of sustainability