Could China ban imports of plastic scrap?

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Delegates at the recent BIR conference in Hong Kong have expressed fears that the Chinese Government could ban imports of recycled plastics.

In the worst case scenario, according to China Scrap Plastics Association executive president Steve Wong, China could expand its current National Sword programme to prohibit any material that could contain contaminants and lead to environmental pollution, including plastics.

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It has even rumoured that this could happen as early as September this year, but could be feasible within the next five to ten years, he warned.

With no other country in the region being able to absorb the more than 7 million tonnes of scrap plastic the Chinese buy each year, and volatile shipping rates, it could be the most effective solution was increased processing at source.