Chinese restrictions on imported solid waste / Potential to reshape the domestic plastics industry

摘要

China's recent announcement that it has had enough of the world's garbage could reshape the plastics industry and the plastics market, say sources close to the industry. The country has long been the leading importer of plastics and other waste from all over the world. However, imported recyclable waste poses grave challenges for China as these are often poorly sorted or contaminated with hazardous substances. That may soon change. On 18 July 2017, China told the World Trade Organization (WTO; www.wto.org) that by the end of 2017, it will no longer accept imports of 24 categories of solid waste as part of a government campaign against "Yang La Ji", or foreign garbage. The restrictions would cover several types of plastics, including PE, PS, PVC and PET waste. The Chinese government cited the need to safeguard the health and safety of its citizens, and to protect the environment. As the country moves forward with this ban, how does this impact the China plastics market?