China's waste import ban causing worldwide crisis
- 6 years ago
Beijing's recent decision to ban solid waste imports is having a huge impact, both here in Korea, and around the world, as countries are scrambling for solutions for their growing mountains of trash.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
According to data from the country's Environment Ministry,... South Korea sold more than 196-thousand tons of recycled waste in the international market last year,... with around 128-thousand tons, or some two-thirds, heading to China.
However, the ban on imports of 24 types of recyclables by China,... a reflection of the nation's tougher stance on pollution,... forced residents to halt recycling,... after a number of garbage collection companies in Korea halted collections,.. citing low margins and higher processing costs.
The problem is on an even bigger scale globally,... as China's policy shift,... which took effect on January 1st,... has left exporters in the U.S., Canada, and other European countries scrambling for ways to deal with their growing mountains of trash.
In the UK, despite the Chinese plastic ban taking effect at the start of the year,... many recycling businesses stopped shipping plastic to China last fall,... over fears it might not arrive before the deadline,... causing mounting waste problems in Britain, even before the start of the ban.
A U.S. representative at the World Trade Organization's Council for Trade in Goods has expressed concern that China's foreign waste ban will cause a fundamental disruption in global supply chains for scrap material,... and requested that China immediately halt implementations and revise the measures.
China, however, defended its policy,... with Beijing's Foreign Ministry saying the concerns are "neither reasonable nor have any legal basis".
It added that "restricting and banning the imports of solid waste is an important measure China has taken to implement the new development concept, improve environmental quality and safeguard people's health."
While many parts of the world seek a solution,... the U.S. request will likely fall on deaf ears amid Washington's intensifying trade spat with China.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
According to data from the country's Environment Ministry,... South Korea sold more than 196-thousand tons of recycled waste in the international market last year,... with around 128-thousand tons, or some two-thirds, heading to China.
However, the ban on imports of 24 types of recyclables by China,... a reflection of the nation's tougher stance on pollution,... forced residents to halt recycling,... after a number of garbage collection companies in Korea halted collections,.. citing low margins and higher processing costs.
The problem is on an even bigger scale globally,... as China's policy shift,... which took effect on January 1st,... has left exporters in the U.S., Canada, and other European countries scrambling for ways to deal with their growing mountains of trash.
In the UK, despite the Chinese plastic ban taking effect at the start of the year,... many recycling businesses stopped shipping plastic to China last fall,... over fears it might not arrive before the deadline,... causing mounting waste problems in Britain, even before the start of the ban.
A U.S. representative at the World Trade Organization's Council for Trade in Goods has expressed concern that China's foreign waste ban will cause a fundamental disruption in global supply chains for scrap material,... and requested that China immediately halt implementations and revise the measures.
China, however, defended its policy,... with Beijing's Foreign Ministry saying the concerns are "neither reasonable nor have any legal basis".
It added that "restricting and banning the imports of solid waste is an important measure China has taken to implement the new development concept, improve environmental quality and safeguard people's health."
While many parts of the world seek a solution,... the U.S. request will likely fall on deaf ears amid Washington's intensifying trade spat with China.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.