There needs to be a relentless focus on improving the quality of recycled materials or risk losing markets, according to The Recycling Association.
In late May and early June, countries including China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Poland all announced plans to further inspect the quality of materials sent to them.
On 6 June, the Recycling Association chief executive Simon Ellin said: “News over the last two weeks has shown the need for putting quality first as China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Poland have all announced increased import restrictions and potential new regulations.
“In the case of Vietnam, Indonesia and Poland, this is a direct response to the Chinese ban on plastics and mixed paper, plus detailed inspections of other materials, leading to these countries being flooded with material.
“Once the Chinese ban came in, some people thought it wouldn’t be a problem as other destinations were taking this material. But as we warned at the time, it wouldn’t be long before other countries started to respond with tougher regulations. We are now seeing this happening.
“In the UK, we have responded really well to the Chinese ban, and The Recycling Association’s Quality First campaign helped to ensure that we were ready by improving quality while other countries have struggled. But we shouldn’t rest on our laurels as the latest news shows, but be relentless in our focus on improving the quality of UK material. This will ensure we will continue to have domestic, European and international destinations for our paper, plastics and metals.”
