Understanding Wastepaper prices
Raw materials and production
Recovered paper is collected fibre material used as a recycling feedstock. Old corrugated containers form a specific recovered-paper grade. Sorting, contamination and moisture influence the amount of usable fibre obtained during reprocessing.
Applications and consumption
Paper mills use recovered fibre in packaging papers and other suitable products. The required grade depends on the finished paper and mill equipment. OCC is an input to recycling and should not be confused with finished corrugated board sold to packaging customers.
What affects Wastepaper prices?
Collection volumes, sorting quality, freight and paper-mill consumption influence recovered-paper prices. Packaging activity changes both demand and future waste supply. Contamination limits, grade and delivery terms are important when comparing recovered-paper offers.
How to read Wastepaper price today
This page follows Wastepaper in China. The price type is Spot assessment, with values expressed in CNY/t. Compare quotations only after matching the product specification, unit, market and publication period. Changes in the chart describe the recorded series; they do not measure every transaction in the wider market. A local purchase may include freight, processing, taxes or dealer margins. Differences in quality or delivery conditions can therefore produce a different final cost even when the reference price is unchanged.
The latest dated observation is the reference available on this page. Trading holidays or publication delays can leave the displayed date earlier than today; this is not a live tick feed.
Further reading: FAO — forest products ↗
Frequently asked questions about Wastepaper
What is Wastepaper price today?
The latest available value is 1,868.00 CNY/t, for 10/16/2026. It represents Spot assessment. Check the displayed period and market before treating it as a quotation for a purchase today. The latest dated observation is the reference available on this page. Trading holidays or publication delays can leave the displayed date earlier than today; this is not a live tick feed.
What affects Wastepaper prices?
Collection volumes, sorting quality, freight and paper-mill consumption influence recovered-paper prices. Packaging activity changes both demand and future waste supply. Contamination limits, grade and delivery terms are important when comparing recovered-paper offers.
What is Wastepaper used for in everyday life and industry?
Paper mills use recovered fibre in packaging papers and other suitable products. The required grade depends on the finished paper and mill equipment. OCC is an input to recycling and should not be confused with finished corrugated board sold to packaging customers.
Why can local Wastepaper prices differ from this chart?
Local offers may include delivery, processing, taxes and commercial margins. Differences in quality, product form, market and contract timing can also change the price. Compare the same specification and unit before drawing conclusions.
Where can I compare historical Wastepaper prices?
Use the price chart and dated history table on this page, or download the CSV. Choose a period and keep the market, product and units consistent. Missing publication dates are not filled with invented observations.