UK association advocates for reconsideration of policy in China
UK association advocates for reconsideration of policy in China
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The Recycling Association, based in the United Kingdom, has called on the Chinese government to raise its proposed 0.3 percent contamination level on imported baled scrap paper, calling the new limit “unrealistic.”
In a consultation document provided by Chinese inspection body CCIC (China Certification & Inspection Group), The Recycling Association says it has been made aware that the Chinese government plans to reduce the current specified level of 1.5 percent to 0.3 percent by the end of 2017.
“In our response to the consultation given to us by CCIC, we stressed the unrealistic nature of the proposed 0.3 percent contamination level,” states Simon Ellin, chief executive of the association.
“We believe the 1.5 percent level for OCC (old corrugated containers), as set out in EN643 and currently required by the Chinese authorities, provides the correct balance of giving Chinese mills what they need while also allowing for realistic collection and sorting of materials,” adds Ellin.
A limit of 0.3 percent, says Ellin, “does not take into account the intrinsic nature of the material, with tape, staples, labels, plastic liners and wrapping potentially exceeding this level, even though these are easily removed by the mills as part of the recycling process. We have therefore asked the Chinese Government to reconsider the reduction to 0.3 percent.”
In its submission, The Recycling Association also asked for clarity on what is meant by the term “unsorted mixed papers,” and whether the proposed ban of importing this grade into China applies to all mixed paper grades.
It also asked for the Chinese government to reconsider the total ban on post-consumer plastics. The Recycling Association suggested that if the Chinese government is proposing to allow certain post-industrial plastic grades to be imported with a 0.3 percent level, then this level could also be applied to post-consumer plastics with no impact on the Chinese environment or human health.
In its submission, The Recycling Association warned that a ban on importing recyclable materials could lead to increased shipping costs on East-West routes from China, as shipping companies will look to compensate the loss of West-East revenue with higher fees to ship goods from China to North America and Europe. This, it warns, could have a significant impact on the Chinese economy.
The Recycling Association says significant quality improvements have been made by recyclers in the U.K., including through the association’s Quality First campaign. As a result, it asked for the Chinese government to give more time for the U.K. recycling sector to adapt to the new Chinese regimen. It suggested that the end of 2017 was too short a time scale for the implementation of this new policy without causing damage to the investment made in recycling infrastructure in the U.K. and elsewhere.
“We hope the Chinese government will listen to our legitimate concerns,” states Ellin. “At The Recycling Association, we are supportive of the Chinese focus on improving environmental standards and public health. But we also need to be given sufficient time, and realistic targets, so that we can help the Chinese government meet its environmental and health goals, without damaging an important part of its, and our, economy.”
The complete six-page response by The Recycling Association to CCIC and the Chinese government can be obtained by contacting The Recycling Association at [email protected].
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Source: Recycling Today
UK association advocates for reconsideration of policy in China
<![CDATA[The Recycling Association, based in the United Kingdom, has called on the Chinese government to raise its proposed 0.3 percent contamination level on imported baled scrap paper, calling the new limit “unrealistic.” In a consultation document provided by Chinese inspection body CCIC (China Certification & Inspection Group), The Recycling Association says it has been made aware that the Chinese government plans to reduce the current specified level of 1.5 percent to 0.3 percent by the end of 2017. “In our response to the consultation given to us by CCIC, we stressed the unrealistic nature of the proposed 0.3 percent contamination level,” states Simon Ellin, chief executive of the association. “We believe the 1.5 percent level for OCC (old corrugated containers), as set out in EN643 and currently required by the Chinese authorities, provides the correct balance of giving Chinese mills what they need while also allowing for realistic collection and sorting of materials,” adds Ellin. A limit of 0.3 percent, says Ellin, “does not take into account the intrinsic nature of the material, with tape, staples, labels, plastic liners and wrapping potentially exceeding this level, even though these are easily removed by the mills as part…