China Releases Draft Standards and Catalogues for Scrap Imports
Of particular note is that the “carried waste” (or allowable prohibitive) thresholds have been dropped to 0.3% for all categories except appliances and vessels (0.5%). For appliances, the standard is that there must be 80% recoverable materials and 80% recyclable materials (in the U.S., we are at 50%). ReMA will submit comments with arguments to counter these proposed changes and welcomes input from members. Read the standards in English and Chinese.
Also, the Chinese Government updated its Identification Standards for Solid Wastes – General Rules. Unfortunately, ISRI’s recommendations for language that specifically distinguishes between scrap and waste were not incorporated. Read the standard in English and Chinese.
Additionally, the Chinese Government released revised Catalogues of Restricted Waste Imports. All of the materials listed in its July 18 WTO notification restricting waste imports are now on the prohibition list. Of particular note to our plastics recyclers is that post-consumer plastics are to be prohibited while post-industrial plastics will not, but import permits are required. Read the documents at the following links: