China BANNED Import from the US: What Next?

For many years, a significant portion of American mixed recyclables, particularly paper and plastics, were shipped to China. This arrangement stemmed from China’s massive manufacturing sector, which needed a constant influx of raw materials to produce various consumer goods, including packaging materials and plastic products. China’s role as the world’s largest manufacturer made it the ideal destination for recyclables. The country imported substantial amounts of waste materials, especially during the 1990s and early 2000s, due to its booming industrial economy. By 2016, the U.S. exported about 16 million tons of recyclables to China, with China handling nearly half of the world’s discarded materials. The arrangement was mutually beneficial: U.S. companies could sell their recyclables, while China could acquire the raw materials needed for manufacturing. However, this system had its flaws. The single-stream recycling approach in the U.S. led to high contamination levels, with non-recyclable items often mixed in. This contamination became a significant issue as China’s appetite for recyclable commodities included a high tolerance for contaminated materials.