An update on inter-country differences in recovery and utilization of recycled paper

• We explore which factors affect recovery and utilization of recycled paper (RP).
• We use panel data between 1992 and 2010 for a sample of 70 countries.
• Both economic and demographic factors impact RP recovery and utilization.
• Environmental awareness increases the recovery of RP in high-income countries only.
• The motives for recycling depend on the income level of a country.

The use of recovered paper as raw material in the paper and board industry has increased heavily during recent decades. At the same time, growing environmental awareness has raised the interest in recycling and a more sustainable way of living, at least in high-income countries. This paper combines these topics and explores how economic, demographic and environmental factors have affected the recovery and utilization of recycled paper between 1992 and 2010 in a sample of 70 countries. This study updates and extends the previous research on the topic using panel data and panel data estimation methods. The results confirm the roles of economic determinants but also indicate that concern for the environment impacts the recovery of recycled paper particularly in high-income countries. Moreover, the motives for recycling appear to depend on the income level of a country, which is something that future policies should consider.