‘Green Fence’ barrier to China’s plastic imports

China – China’s ‘Green Fence’ clampdown on incoming scrap materials contributed to a 5.5% reduction in plastics waste imports during the first four months of the year, according to figures from the country’s General Administration of Customs which were presented at a scrap plastic conference in Guangzhou last week. Media reports describe this as one of the first statistical indications that the ‘Green Fence’ policy is having a big impact on the industry.

Imports of scrap plastic bound for recycling in Chinese factories fell to 2.4 million tonnes over this year′s January-April period following the government′s implementation in February of what recycling industry officials have labelled the ′toughest crackdown′ yet on imports of scrap materials. The 5.5% import decline represents a big change for an industry that has seen scrap polymer imports grow four-fold in the last decade.

The Chinese government′s ′Green Fence′ policy is an attempt to limit pollution and inclusion of unwanted materials in supplies of, for example, recovered paper or scrap plastics from other countries. Although the recycling industries support these goals, they say the policy is hurting business by causing long customs clearance delays, creating shortages of materials in manufacturing plants and cutting into profits.

Tighter controls

The Chinese government plans to continue the ′Green Fence′ operation through into October or November this year. Its next step, it is believed, will be tighter controls on the number of licences issued to scrap importers in China and on the practice of companies selling licences.

China has instigated other crackdowns over recent years, including a more localised initiative that saw scrap plastic imports through the port of Guangzhou plummet 52% in the first half of 2012.

Source: www.plasticsnews.com