Environmental and Economic Benefits of Recycling Wastepaper: In Case of Ethiopia

Abstract

Papermaking, rooted in ancient Egypt, remains essential despite technological advances, with global demand rising to about 60 kg per capita due to urbanization, population growth, and industrialization. Reliance on wood-based raw materials drives deforestation, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions, whereas recycling supports the circular economy and reduces environmental pressures; globally, around 225 million tons of wastepaper are recycled each year. Ethiopia, however, consumes less than 2 kg per capita and depends heavily on imported pulp because of weak waste collection and recycling systems; although generating over 200,000 tons of paper waste annually, the country recycles only about 5%, leaving its nine recycling plants underutilized. A literature review (2013–2024, with emphasis on 2019–2024) shows that increasing wastepaper recycling could lower emissions, save energy and water, reduce landfill pressures in Addis Ababa, create jobs, and save foreign exchange, while highlighting major policy gaps—particularly the absence of extended producer responsibility (EPR)—that must be addressed to align Ethiopia’s paper sector with global sustainability practices.