Find Verified Waste Paper Buyers, Importers and Buy Leads

Waste Paper: Growing its Value in the Global Trade Market

Waste paper refers to any paper that is discarded after being used. These papers can be pre-consumer waste (factory trimmings), or post-consumer waste (newspapers or envelopes from home). Despite becoming increasingly centered on digital alternatives, we're still relying on paper a lot. Let’s look at how people usually start their day. They normally start it by cleaning out their garbage or having a cup of coffee, right? Well, both of these activities produce waste paper in the form of old paper scraps (newspapers) and paper cups, respectively. This reveals how waste paper is a silent yet significant part of our lives. Paper waste comes from various industries, and some of the common waste papers include newspapers, junk mail, posters, toilet paper, packaging materials, etc.

Did you know that 50% of the waste coming from businesses is made up of paper? Not only that, each one of us produces 700 tonnes of waste paper every year. India consumes around 13 MT of paper annually, from which only 25-28% of waste or shredded paper is recycled. 

With the incorporation of advanced technologies in the recycling industry, paper waste can be categorised less as "waste" and more as a "raw material" for making new paper. It is a substitute for wood or plant-based fibres used during paper making. That is why waste paper can easily make its way back to the industry through recycling. Most developed countries are recovering their waste paper at a very high percentage. Germany stands at the top in this category with recycling 73% of their paper waste. It is then followed by Sweden, Japan, Western Europe, and the US. 

Waste Paper Trade as an Environment-Conscious Industry 

The generation we’re currently in is witnessing a huge rise in the literacy rate of middle-class people, which is possible because of the growing urbanization. The increasing number of educational institutions and industries also has a helping hand in the growing literacy rate, which requires more paper making. This is specifically evident in various developing countries like India and China. However, due to the impact deforestation has on the environment, the world is now shifting towards substituting wood with waste paper in the process of making paper. North America, Latin America, and Europe are some of the countries that are creating a place for themselves in the global trade market of waste paper. North America produces and consumes a significant amount of paper, which is why it has a lot of waste paper as well. 

The primary reason why many importers need waste paper is to recycle it. And recycled paper is beneficial in itself because it is much cheaper than paper made from virgin fibre. The paperboard production sector in some countries have only a few virgin fibres, such as Africa and some parts of Asia. These countries rely specifically on waste paper imports to fulfill their domestic demand for papers. Other than these, waste paper has a lot of environmentally friendly benefits that drive the global import of it. 

Here is how waste paper or recyclable paper promotes sustainability:

• Recycling waste paper emits 40% less gas. 
• According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 17 trees are saved by recycling 1 ton of waste paper. 
• Waste paper recycling produces 40% less water waste, saving 30,000 litres of water.
• Around 25% of energy is saved by recycling waste paper. It saves 3000 to 4000 kWh of electricity.
• These advantages can be multiplied by five to seven times, because waste paper can be recycled 5-7 times. 

Now that the reasons for increasing waste paper demand have been explored, let’s move on to keeping buyers’ needs at the centre. This is important because buyers close a deal based on the quality of waste paper that you’re providing. So, here is what a waste paper buyer might be expecting from you:

• Should not be oily or greasy
• Dry and contaminants free (glitter, foil, etc)
• Should not be highly inked
• Shouldn’t have mold
• Free from unpleasant odors

Waste Paper Types & Other Related Categories in the Global Market

As an exporter of waste paper, there is a wide variety of products that you can further add to your exporting business. This helps you in making your presence in the global market stronger. Let’s have a look at what all related products you can add to scale up:

• Other paper-oriented products: paper & paper products, paper chemicals, paper products, paper boxes, paper containers, paper shredder, paper trimmers, etc. 
  
  
• Waste management items: textile waste, fabric waste, wood waste, and others
  
  
• Scrap materials: metal scraps, lead scrap, stainless steel scrap, non ferrous scrap, plastic scrap, copper cable scrap, electronic scrap, aluminium scrap, steel scraps, iron scrap, tin scrap, copper scrap, zinc scrap, etc. 

Key Market Insights on Waster Paper Export and Import

As an exporter of waste paper, there is a wide variety of products that you can further add to your exporting business. This helps you in making your presence in the global market stronger. Let’s have a look at what related products you can add to scale up:

Global Market Size  

Source: Market Research Future

Top Importing Countries for Waste Paper (2024):

Source: Volza

How to Find Verified Waste Paper Buyers & Importers Globally?

When you’re searching for potential waste paper importers worldwide, you need to know about the platforms that can help you in doing it. So, we’re now going to focus on the ways you can go about it:

• Use B2B platforms, such as go4WorldBusiness. Here, you can register yourself as a seller of waste paper for free and then find suitable buyers for the specific type of waste paper you’re selling. For instance, you can search for “scrap paper buyers/waste scrap paper buyers”, Paper Shredder, Paper Trimmer buyers, etc. 
  
  
• You can also sell your waste paper to your nearby recycling centers. This will help you gain some valuable experience, and you will get an idea of how you can bring your business to the international markets. By targeting the local market, you will fulfill the target of finding “waste paper buyers near me”. 
  
  
• Attend international trade fairs for waste paper, some of which are Paperex, Paperworld India, RWM - Let's Recycle Live, and others. Various waste paper buyers from all around the world attend these events, so you will be exposed to a wide number of potential buyers. Always remember that scrap paper price per ton will vary in different countries, so prepare yourself for appropriate negotiations. 
  
  
• Lastly, this digitally driven world needs you to have an online presence as well. Make a website for your waste paper exporting business and be active on social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, etc). This way, you can make it easier for the buyers to know that you’ve a credible business. Other than that, you can also directly connect with buyers from other countries. 

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs):

1. What is the cost of 1kg of waste paper?

The cost of 1kg of waste paper ranges from INR 20 to 25. However, it can vary depending on the location and condition of the paper. 

2. How to earn money from waste paper?

You can use various methods to earn money from waste paper, like selling it to recycling centres or exporting it to other countries. 

3. What kind of paper is recyclable?

Several types of waste paper can be recycled, such as newspapers, magazines, cardboard, phone books, toilet paper, etc. It should just not be heavily inked. 

4. What is the biggest source of paper waste?

The biggest source of paper waste is offices, as 50% of the waste coming from offices is paper waste. 

5. What is the waste paper scrap HSN code?

4707 is the HSN code for waste paper scrap. 

6. How can I find reliable waste paper buyers?

You can find reliable waste paper buyers through B2B platforms, such as go4WorldBusiness. Some waste paper trade fairs like Paperex, Clean India Show, and others are also a great way to connect with buyers from all over the world. 

7. What are the key aspects to consider when exporting waste paper scrap?

You should make sure that the waste paper you’re exporting has top-notch quality without any presence of excess ink or water. Other than that, you will also need to have all the required documents like IEC, Commercial invoice, and others. 

8. What are the wastes generated in the paper industry?

Sludge, sawdust, fly ash, and others are some of the wastes generated in the paper industry. 

9. Which are the biggest waste paper importing countries?

The biggest waste paper importing countries are India, China, and Malaysia. 

10. What are the grades of waste paper?

Brown, White/chemical, and Mechanical are some of the grades of waste paper. 

Latest News Related to Waste Paper:

The US exports of waste paper/recovered paper have declined from 12.5?MT in 2014 to 9?MT. It is now being used domestically more than being exported internationally. (Full story: Recycling Today)