More paper waste than previously believed

Norway generated 943,000 tonnes (metric tons) of paper waste in 1995 of which 37 per cent was recycled. From 1988 to 1995 the quantity of paper recycled increased from 150,000 to 346,000 tonnes. The amount of printed materials increased while the amount of packaging fell.

The amount of paper waste (paper and cardboard) in Norway remained relatively stable from 1988 to 1995. During the same time the amount of paper waste put in landfills dropped from 616,000 in 1988 to 450,000 tonnes in 1995. Despite the decline, landfills are still the most common disposal method for paper waste in 1995.

More printed materials and less packaging

The categories of products producing the most paper waste are printed materials and packaging, which together account for between 75 and 80 per cent of the total amount of paper waste generated during the entire period. While the amount of printed materials in society is increasing, the amount of packaging is declining. There are considerable uncertainties regarding the amounts of so-called filled packaging (packaging that arrives in Norway through the import of packaged goods). Toilet paper makes up between 30,000-35,000 tonnes of the sanitary and household products. Most ends up in the sewer system, but is still counted.

Most paper waste in households

We were able to break down paper waste in the individual industries in 1993. Of nearly 944,000 tonnes of paper waste in 1993, 480,000 tonnes occurred in private households and 463,000 in industries. Other industries, in which service industries have 92 per cent of the employees, are besides manufacturing the largest contributor after households. In these figures, all toilet paper, accounting for about four per cent of all paper waste, is including under households even though business and industry account for part of it.

New Statistics

Waste accounts, paper and glass, 1988-1995.
Statistics are found in the report "Waste accounts for Norway - principles and methods. Results for paper and glass." More information: Øystein Skullerud, tel. +47 62 88 52 29, e-mail: usk@ssb.no or Ole Osvald Moss, tel. +47 62 88 52 32, e-mail: oom@ssb.no.

Weekly Bulletin issue no. 42, 1997