More paper waste is recycled than ends up in landfills

For the first time ever, more paper was recycled than ended up in landfills in 1997. Out of the total quantity of paper waste, 990,000 tonnes, around 41 per cent was disposed of in landfills, while 44 per cent was recycled. Recycling has thus become the most common use of paper waste.

Statistics Norway has updated the waste accounts for paper and cardboard up to 1997. Because the calculations were made on the basis of supply of goods figures in external trade and manufacturing statistics, it has been possible to extend the time series back to 1976. The figures show sharp growth in the quantity of paper waste from 1983 to 1988 and stabilization in the '90s before increasing again from 1996 to 1997.

The overall quantity of paper waste has increased by over 300,000 tonnes from 1976 to 1997. A preliminary analysis indicates that quantity fluctuates in step with the state of the economy and the combined annual consumption of private households.

The handling of paper waste has also changed during the period. Calculations show that while more than 600,000 tonnes of paper waste was disposed of in landfills in 1988, the figure had dropped to 410,000 tonnes by 1997. During the same period the quantity of paper waste that is recycled increased from around 150,000 tonnes to over 430,000 tonnes.

Steady increase in printed materials

Printed materials have made up the largest share of the paper waste, accounting for around 50 per cent of the total quantity of paper waste throughout the entire period from 1976 to 1997. In 1997, printed materials made up 544,000 tonnes of paper waste, equivalent to 55 per cent. Paper waste from packaging declined from around 289,000 tonnes in 1993 to 209,000 tonnes in 1996. In 1997 this segment increased again to 242,000 tonnes, thereby accounting for 25 per cent of the paper waste. These two product categories have accounted for 70-85 per cent of all paper waste over the last 20 years.

New Statistics
Waste accounts for paper, 1997.
The statistics are published annually in the Weekly Bulletin of Statistics. For more information contact: Olav.Ronningen@ssb.no, tel. +47 62 88 51 51, or Olav.Skogesal@ssb.no, tel. +47 62 88 51 65.

Weekly Bulletin issue no. 4, 1999