China was once the world’s largest importer of waste, taking in over half of the world’s recyclables until 2017 when they implemented their “National Sword” policy. This banned the import of most plastics and other materials headed for recycling processors, largely due to environmental concerns. Since then, China’s role in handling the world’s waste has changed dramatically.
What was China’s previous role in handling the world’s waste?
For over 25 years, China was the dominant destination for the world’s recyclables. In 2016 alone, China imported over 7 million tons of waste plastics from developed countries like the US, Japan, Germany and the UK. They also took in over 27 million tons of waste paper. Much of this waste was shipped to China for recycling due to its booming manufacturing sector and willingness to take recycled materials. Processing recyclables and reselling the raw materials was a lucrative industry in China.
However, China’s imports of foreign waste grew too large in scale. They were taking in more than the country could properly handle. Mountains of raw plastic scraps could be seen piling up in Chinese ports and towns. Due to lax regulations, many recycling facilities were unsanitary and contaminated local environments. Citizens began protesting the worsening pollution in their communities caused by the waste.
What caused China to ban certain waste imports?
Facing rising public dissatisfaction over foreign waste, the Chinese government implemented its “National Sword” policy in 2017. This banned the import of 24 categories of recyclables and waste materials. Restricted items included plastics, textiles, mixed paper, slag from steelmaking and other materials. The goal was to protect China’s environment and people’s health by stopping the flow of poorly managed waste imports.
Imports of plastic waste alone dropped from over 600,000 tons per month in 2016 to under 30,000 tons per month in early 2018 after the ban. China also tightened standards on contaminant levels in recyclables, shutting out materials deemed too dirty or hazardous. The country continues to restrict imports of foreign waste with tough inspection and enforcement methods.
How did China’s restrictions impact the global recycling trade?
China’s ban on waste imports left developed nations scrambling to find new destinations for their recyclables. As prices for recovered materials crashed, piles of plastic, paper and other scrap accumulated in the US, Europe and Japan. Waste firms looked for new buyers in countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, India and Malaysia. But many lacked the capacity to process the sheer volume that China once accepted. Some nations also enacted their own restrictions as improper waste shipments flooded in.
The global recycling industry was turned upside down after decades of shipping recyclables to China. Municipal recycling programs were scaled back or suspended in many areas as costs ballooned. Environmentalist groups warned that more recyclables were ending up in landfills or incinerators without China as an export market.
The turmoil highlighted the dependency on shipping waste overseas rather than processing it domestically. To ease the situation, waste exporters have worked to produce cleaner material streams and develop recycling capacity in their own countries.
Does China still import any recyclables today?
While China’s imports of plastic and paper for recycling have dropped close to zero, the country still takes in significant amounts of metal scrap. China continues to accept metal recyclables like steel, copper and aluminum due to demand from its manufacturing industry.
According to Chinese customs data, almost 6 million tons of scrap copper, steel and aluminum were imported in the first half of 2022 alone. China also imports increasing quantities of wood pulp to produce paper products. However, imports of plastics and mixed paper remain miniscule compared to pre-2017 levels.
What recyclables does China import today?
| Recyclable Material | 2022 Import Figures |
|---|---|
| Steel scrap | 2.6 million metric tons (January – June) |
| Copper scrap | 1.5 million metric tons (January – June) |
| Aluminum scrap | 760,000 metric tons (January – April) |
| Wood pulp | 7.6 million metric tons (January – May) |
| Waste paper | 211,000 metric tons (January – May) |
| Plastics | 83,000 metric tons (January – June) |
China has gone from handling nearly half the world’s recyclables to less than 10 percent. Its ban on waste imports, except for selected metals and pulp, remains firmly in place with no signs of reversing course.
Conclusion
China was the world’s recycling hub for decades but implemented a ban in 2017 on multiple types of foreign waste due to environmental and health concerns. While it once took in over 7 million tons of plastics annually, it now accepts almost none. China does continue importing scrap metal and wood pulp where domestic demand exists. But the country’s days as the go-to destination for the world’s recyclables have come to an end.