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UK 'Faces Build-up of Plastic Waste' (bbc.com)

The UK's recycling industry says it doesn't know how to cope with a Chinese ban on imports of plastic waste. From a report: Britain has been shipping up to 500,000 tonnes of plastic for recycling in China every year, but now the trade has been stopped. At the moment the UK cannot deal with much of that waste, says the UK Recycling Association. Its chief executive, Simon Ellin, told the BBC he had no idea how the problem would be solved in the short term. "It's a huge blow for us... a game-changer for our industry," he said. "We've relied on China so long for our waste... 55% of paper, 25% plus of plastics. "We simply don't have the markets in the UK. It's going to mean big changes in our industry." China has introduced the ban from this month on "foreign garbage" as part of a move to upgrade its industries.

5 of 308 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I know how to fix this by arth1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's utopia. More realistic: Ship it to Wales.

  2. Re:I know how to fix this by nospam007 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Oh and red tape, lots and lots of red tape.
        In fact, so much red tape that even if we wanted a new plastics recycling facility to replace outsourcing it to China, it would take several years for the bureaucrats just to come an agreement on a name for it."

    Not to mention that the red tape would end up as plastic waste as well.

  3. Trojan Rabbit by Templer421 · · Score: 4, Funny

    If that doesn't work perhaps a large plastic Badger?

  4. Re:How ecologically sound! by serviscope_minor · · Score: 4, Funny

    So use tons of oil to ship plastic -

    If something's going by ship, that part is likely by far the most efficient. I calculated it once: shipping white goods from China to the UK by boat takes less oil per item than moving the item from the shop to your house by lorry.

    The large cargo ships are incredibly efficient.

    --
    SJW n. One who posts facts.
  5. Re:Not surprising, really. by sa1lnr · · Score: 3, Funny

    Indeed, I curse the selfish people that chose to have you.