China's solid waste import ban benefits North American recycling in long term, says CPIA

The Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) believed that China's decision to ban solid waste imports will only create a short term problem.

China is an end market destination for some Canadian mixed plastics, polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS). A 2015 Moore Recycling Associates Study on Post-Consumer Plastics Recycling in Canada commissioned by CPIA found 17-21% of plastics are exported overseas with China being a destination for these plastics.

The Association said China's intention to prohibit imports of solid waste may create some end-market issues for Canadian collectors & recyclers in the short term.

However, it also presents an opportunity to strengthen existing markets and create new ones in North America that will benefit Canadian and North American recycling in the long term, according to CPIA.

It has begun exploring other market options that may be available on an ad hoc basis to move hard-to-market loads, and is in contact with partner organizations such as the American Chemistry Council, Association of Plastic Recyclers and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries in the US to discuss how to build options to Chinese markets.

China informed the World Trade Organization (WTO) in July that it will ban the imports of 24 types of solid waste at the end of this year.