Scrap Recycling Association Comments to WTO in Opposition to Chinese Proposal to Ban Scrap Imports
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) filed comments with the World Trade Organization opposing China’s intent to ban certain scrap imports, ISRI announced on Aug. 21. ISRI is requesting a “revision” of the policy and clarification of its scope,…
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asserting that the solid waste ban would hurt U.S. and Chinese recycling industries, parts of the Chinese manufacturing sector, and environmental sustainability opportunities in China, the association said. While the policy’s aims are noble, such an import ban isn’t likely to help improve the environment, ISRI said. China accounts for over half of the world’s total imports of recycled commodities, including recovered paper and fiber, and plastic and copper scrap, so any change in Chinese policy would be “quickly felt” around the world, the group said. “There is a need to distinguish scrap from waste within the Notification, as well as in the underlying regulations and related notices issued by the Chinese, in order to properly identify those materials for which the Chinese Government intends to truly impose a ban, while at the same time providing clarity for the exporting community as to what products are permissible for import,” ISRI said in a statement.