This was among the talking points of the Recycling Association’s export sub-group, which met this month (July 10) to discuss the impacts of Chinas Green Fence strategy on the market for waste material from the UK.
Operation Green Fence was initiated by the Chinese Government earlier this year at the request of the newly elected President Xi Jinping, aimed at reducing the amount of poor quality waste that enters Chinese ports from overseas (see letsrecycle.com story).
However, the export sub-group also reported that the initiative has been welcomed by large sections of the industry, and has lead to improvements in the standard of waste exported from the UK.
Fifteen of the Recycling Associations members, which include processing merchants, waste management companies, Chinese mill groups and brokers, are part of the Associations export sub-group which was established in May to counter negative press against waste exporters (see letsrecycle.com story).
Members
‘It is a clear message, our member buyers will only export material from sources where sustainable high quality is at the top of the agenda.’ – Simon Ellin, Recycling Association
Present at the meeting were representatives from waste and recycling firms including Biffa, Mark Lyndon UK, Williams Recycling, Grundon Waste Management, Veolia, Viridor, International Recovered Paper, as well as the Environmental Services Association (ESA).
Members reported that the Green Fence initiative has had a profound effect on the industry, since it began in late February, causing widespread confusion on what would be permissible for the Chinese market.
And, the group says it is still unclear what materials will be granted entry into the country, as the entry requirements are often subjective depending on the inspection official. But, in order to guarantee quality, members reported that they have been cherry picking material from the best quality suppliers, where quality standards are known and trusted.
Quality
Commenting on the outcomes of the meeting Simon Ellin, chief executive of the Recycling Association, said: “It is a clear message, our member buyers will only export material from sources where sustainable high quality is at the top of the agenda. If you are not producing a high quality recyclate then your material will not be exported to China or indeed elsewhere. Low quality suppliers are likely to face limited markets at much lower prices.
“Everyone was united in saying that we must not rest on our laurels. Green Fence was the kick up the backside that the industry needed and the message now is one of continuous improvement. The UK recycling industry has reacted positively to Green Fence but it must continue unabated as absolute normal and sustainable practice.”
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The Recycling Association has long argued that the export market has been central to growing recycling rates in the UK, which only has a limited capacity to process much of the waste it produces. The group has also sought to counter claims that quality requirements are less stringent for exporters than for domestic reprocessors.
The group also plans to raise awareness amongst politicians and the general public about the benefits that the export market for recyclate brings to the waste industry in the UK.
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