2015 CMRA Convention: Positive reinforcement

Two representatives from government agencies who spoke at the 2015 Annual Convention of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association Recycling Metals Branch (CMRA) , said the Chinese government will provide support to the recycling industry during the next five years, while a third warned recyclers to be mindful of causing pollution.

Speaking at the opening session of the convention, which took place in Ningbo, China, in early November, Gao Yuahu of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said the “new normal” in China points to slower economic growth, but recyclers have an advantage.

“We want to transform the green sector as the new strength of our economy,” stated Gao regarding several policies in the works in Beijing. These policies will “coordinate, prioritize and develop the low-carbon circular economy,” he added.

The movement may spell trouble for older smelter and refinery operators, even if they do recycle metal. “The recycled metal industry has become an important priority [but] we have developed specific plans to phase out the backwards capacity,” said Gao, referring to polluters and energy-intensive operators. “We still face problems with companies with small-scale and deficient technology.”

Ma Rong of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NRDC) also tied the nonferrous recycling industry to the circular economy effort and noted that President Xi Jinping has stated that “waste should be turned into resources.”

She encouraged industry leaders to think of recycling not only in terms of production or output. “Recycling is not only a primary industry, it also is an important service industry,” said Ma. “We have to develop our notion of service.”

Ma also encouraged recyclers to protect their financial position with hedging and other tools and to upgrade their technology. “Nonferrous separation and extraction is no easy job,” she acknowledged, and said agencies such as the NRDC can “cultivate key enterprises” as they take technological forward steps.

Presenter Ling Jiang of the China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) concentrated more on enforcement, saying that China’s inspection and enforcement actions have resulted in gradual improvements and the weeding out of bad players.

Operation Green Fence in particular, said Ling, was effective “to attack the import of foreign garbage [and] taking action against plastic waste” shipments.

Despite improvements, “We cannot ignore the problems,” Ling warned recyclers. “The development of this industry is tied to self-discipline. We should grasp the dividends and avoid the hazards. I hope all of you can be self-disciplined [and] avoid the illegal smuggling,” he stated.

The 2015 CMRA Annual Convention was Nov. 7-9 at the Shangri-La Ningbo in Ningbo, China.