China’s solid waste imports plunge

Total waste and scrap imports reaches 9.98 million tons over the six-month period

SHANGHAI: China’s solid waste imports fell 56.3% in the first half of 2018, the result of tough new restrictions and a crackdown on smuggling, state news agency Xinhua said, citing data from the customs authority. Total waste and scrap imports reached 9.98 million tons over the six-month period, it said. China started importing large volumes of recyclable waste 30 years ago, allowing ships delivering goods to Europe and the United States to fill up with trash before returning home. Total imported waste stood at 47 million tons in 2015. But the government has sought to relinquish its role as the world’s biggest recipient of waste as it bids to curb pollution and move up the global supply chain.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2018.

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