From January 1st 2018, the Chinese ban on 24 different kinds of waste, including scrap plastic and mixed papers, entered into force.
Antonis Mavropoulos and David Bidemann discuss its impact.
Since countries worldwide depend on exporting their waste to China this ban has large consequences.
The EU alone normally exports 50% of their plastic to China. The biggest problem: scrap plastic and adequate local recycling programs.
Among others, China imported impurities, which is not feasible locally. We have to recognise the importance of recycling and integrate circular economy and waste management into our system, as well as connect it with product design and packaging, to avoid objects which cannot be recycled because they include too many mixed materials.
The Netherlands, Australia and Brazil have reported their local plastic recycling prices to have lowered since the ban. While the biggest winner of the situation are the people making recycling equipment, the biggest loser is the planet. Exporting to alternative countries such as India can only be a temporary solution.
If we don’t come up with sustainable solutions in every country the amount of scrap plastic in the ocean will increase, as well as the environmental and health problems, the Chinese government tries to finally conquer.
Check the original article on Wastewise.be- Here