ISRI asks China to better differentiate between scrap and waste

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, has released its comments to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in response to China’s notification of its intent to revise its Identification Standards for Solid Wastes General Rules. While ISRI says it supports the efforts of the Chinese government to protect the health and welfare of its citizens and the environment, the organization suggests improving the language in the draft standard to help properly identify scrap materials that are valuable commodities used as raw materials as distinct from waste that has no value or use.

The full text of ISRI’s comments is available here, but the association highlights a number of comments from the text below:

“ISRI supports efforts on the part of the Chinese government to develop guidelines for the identification of solid wastes, crafted in such a way as to promote environmental sound management of such wastes. … There is a need to distinguish scrap from waste within the standard, as well as in the underlying regulations and related notices issued by the Chinese, in order to better facilitate the legitimate trade of high-quality scrap commodities and at the same time prevent the improper trade of waste materials.   Unfortunately, the standard as drafted uses the term ‘solid waste’ inclusive of both trash and scrap, creating confusion and uncertainty within the U.S. and global recycling industry. …

“Simply put, scrap is not waste. Waste – often called 'trash,' 'refuse' or 'garbage'—is a material that has no value and is not wanted. Wastes are disposed of because they are no longer useful. In contrast, scrap—often called 'recyclable material' or 'secondary material'—is a valuable commodity sold in the global marketplace according to industrywide, globally recognized specifications as a raw material in lieu of virgin materials for manufacturing.  Worldwide, more than 800 million metric tons of scrap commodities are consumed each year. …

“ISRI’s 'Scrap Specifications Circular' contains several hundred specifications covering ferrous scrap, nonferrous scrap, glass cullet, paper stock, plastic scrap, electronics scrap and tire scrap. These specifications are used by industry members to facilitate the buying and selling of their materials and by customs officials for customs clearance purposes.  To that end, ISRI supports a ban on unusable waste that does not meet the specifications. …

“ISRI respectfully requests the Chinese government use more specific terminology in reference to recyclable materials in order to properly distinguish between high-value scrap commodities and waste.  This is an opportunity to incorporate such terminology in the standard and other rules and regulations under consideration by the Chinese government.”

The comments ISRI filed with the WTO are only one element of ISRI’s comprehensive effort to protect the interests of the recycling industry as China looks to impose significant changes on the movement of scrap into China, according to the organization. ISRI says it is holding high-level discussions with the U.S. government (both within the Trump administration and on Capitol Hill) and communicating directly with the Chinese government while also coordinating with its counterparts throughout the world and with the Brussels-based BIR (Bureau of International Recycling) to ensure a widespread global effort.