U.S. Recovered Paper Use Falls 6% in October

Recovered paper consumption fell 6 percent in October compared with a year ago, according to the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA).

Total U.S. industry consumption of recycled and otherwise recovered paper dropped to 2.5 million tons compared with 2010, but rose 1.5 percent from September 2011. The association reported modest increases compared to September with three grades of recovered paper, led by newspaper demand, which climbed 11 percent.  There also was a 10-percent increase in high-grade deinking  consumption, the association said in a news release.

However, year-to-date usage compared to the same period in 2010 now has declined by 5 percent.

Inventories remained basically flat compared to September 2011 and to October of last year, but they are still at relatively high levels for the year, the association said.

U.S. exports of recovered paper fell 5 percent in September compared to August, which is the highest drop since February.  Still, year-to-date exports in 2011 are 14 percent higher than last year by volume.  U.S. recovered paper imports, despite being relatively small, are 30 higher for the year than in 2010.