BOOK INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENTAL TRENDS 2016

CONCLUSION
AND COMMENTARY
The data from the most recent surveys (particularly the paper manufacturer surveys) evidence large decreases
in both the use of recycled fiber and the amount of FSC and other third party certified papers compared
to 2012. This negative trend directly contradicts the expectations of publishers and printers, most
of whom expect to use the same amount or more recycled and certified fiber/paper in the future. We thus
want to explore it more.
RECYCLED FIBER DECLINE
While the percentage of recycled fiber in book papers reported by manufacturers appeared to level off and
even decline slightly in previous surveys of paper manufacturers, the recent decline is considerably sharper
than that indicated in the previous surveys. Additionally, the steep decline in recycled fiber reported by
paper manufacturers appears inconsistent with the expectations of most publishers, the majority of whom
expect to continue using the same amount of recycled fiber. The steepening of this trend and this inconsistency
may in part be due to the interpretation of the manufacturer survey’s request to report “on paper
that is suitable for use in manufacturing books.” The wording of this question makes it likely that paper
manufacturers included large quantities of paper that COULD have been used to make books but that were
ultimately used for other purposes. [It’s important to note that while paper manufacturers were asked to
report on “paper suitable to be used in books,” the publishers and printers who responded were reporting
on paper that actually was used to manufacture books].
The AF&PA reports that paper used for book publishing accounts for only about 4.3% of all printing and
writing paper grades. Though a much larger portion of printing and writing paper is suitable for use in
books.
2014
BOOK PUBLISHING PAPERS
As a percentage of total printing & writing shipments in the U.S.
Tons Printing and
Writing Paper *
Tons Book Paper
Book Paper % of
Total†
Uncoated Free Sheet 8,002,200 185,500 2.30%
Uncoated Groundwood 1,616,700 179,300 11.10%
Coated Freesheet 3,711,000 228,700 6.10%
Coated Groundwood 2,849,300 101,900 3.50%
All Printing and Writing
Paper
16,179,200 695,400 4.30%
* These numbers are 2014 U.S. shipments (short tons) - does not include shipments from Canada
†As a percentage of total paper shipments in the US
Source: AF&PA
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