NWRA releases position on China’s proposed ban on recyclables

The association says the ban would affect the waste and recycling industry in the U.S. and manufacturing in China.


The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, Virginia, has announced its position on China’s proposed ban on recyclables.

The positions states: “On July 18, 2017, the Chinese government notified the World Trade Organization of their plans to ban 24 ‘solid waste’ materials by the end of 2017. These materials include various types of plastic and unsorted paper. According to the Chinese, the ban is being enacted to protect its environment and reduce pollution resulting from managing these materials.

“The National Waste and Recycling Association supports the efforts of the Chinese government to improve environmental protection and standards within its recycling infrastructure. However, the decision to ban the import of recyclable materials would have a significant impact on the waste and recycling industry. Not only will the ban impact the recycling industry in the U.S. but also the Chinese manufacturing industry that relies on those materials.”

Although the ban has identified a number of different materials, the NWRA says confusion remains about which products will be affected. At this point, mixed paper and postconsumer plastics appear to be included in the ban. In the U.S., a significant amount of those materials is exported to China.

In 2016, approximately 41 percent of paper recovered in the North Americas was exported, with about one-quarter being exported to Chinese mills. Similarly, more than 20 percent of postconsumer bottles and 33 percent of nonbottle rigid plastics from the U.S. were exported in 2015. 

“With the amount of recyclables currently transported to China, the ability of the American markets to absorb the banned materials would be strained,” NWRA says. “At a minimum, this is anticipated to affect the costs of these materials. However, it could result in the lack of markets for some of the materials altogether, forcing material to be landfilled.”

The NWRA adds, “The U.S. recycling industry relies on the mostly volunteer efforts of the public to separate their recyclables from their waste. Should banned materials end up landfilled, the public confidence could be shaken creating long-term consequences in material quality and segregation efforts.”

The association says it has been working with its members and other associations to raise awareness in the U.S. and Chinese governments. The NWRA has encouraged the Chinese government to reconsider the implementation and to discuss using strict international standards to control the quality of recyclable materials rather than pursue an outright ban these materials.

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