Export of plastic waste to China continues to grow

Over the past five years, the export of plastic waste from Europe to the Far East has grown explosively. Since the beginning of August, the Chinese government has changed its policy to allow more waste including PVC, PET bottles and CD-ROM remnants. European recycling companies are sounding the alarm.

Their competitors in China and Hong Kong recycle at lower costs, making the export of plastic waste attractive. Between 2000 and 2008, exports grew by 250% to a total of 2.27 million tonnes, according to the EuPR, the European representative organisation of plastic recycling companies. Some 87 per cent of plastic waste exports go to China and Hong Kong.

Growth is continuing this year as well. The first quarter of 2009 showed financial growth in exports of 33 per cent. Companies in Europe itself recycle 5 million tonnes of plastic waste per year. The EuPR is calling for better and more efficient European collection policies in order to recycle more cheaply on their own continent. This is also more environmentally friendly. The entire process of transport and processing in the Far East releases more greenhouse gases than when it is recycled in Europe. For instance, recycling 300,000 tonnes of PET bottles in Europe instead of China means a saving of 175,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year, according to recent research by Wellman International.

Large share for the Netherlands

Earlier this summer, figures from the VROM Inspectorate and Eurostat already showed that the Netherlands accounts for one-fifth of total European waste exports to China. Last year, more than 2.1 billion kilograms of waste materials were shipped. Dutch exports of plastic waste have increased four and a half times since the beginning of this decade. The amount of waste paper and cardboard became no less than fifteen times as much in that period. Metal waste is also being exported more, last year three times as much compared to 2000.

Over the past five years, the export of plastic waste from Europe to the Far East has grown explosively. Since the beginning of August, the Chinese government has changed its policy to allow more waste including PVC, PET bottles and CD-ROM remnants. European recycling companies are sounding the alarm.

Their competitors in China and Hong Kong recycle at lower costs, making the export of plastic waste attractive. Between 2000 and 2008, exports grew by 250% to a total of 2.27 million tonnes, according to the EuPR, the European representative organisation of plastic recycling companies. Some 87 per cent of plastic waste exports go to China and Hong Kong.

Growth is continuing this year as well. The first quarter of 2009 showed financial growth in exports of 33 per cent. Companies in Europe itself recycle 5 million tonnes of plastic waste per year. The EuPR is calling for better and more efficient European collection policies in order to recycle more cheaply on their own continent. This is also more environmentally friendly. The entire process of transport and processing in the Far East releases more greenhouse gases than when it is recycled in Europe. For instance, recycling 300,000 tonnes of PET bottles in Europe instead of China means a saving of 175,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year, according to recent research by Wellman International.

Large share for the Netherlands

Earlier this summer, figures from the VROM Inspectorate and Eurostat already showed that the Netherlands accounts for one-fifth of total European waste exports to China. Last year, more than 2.1 billion kilograms of waste materials were shipped. Dutch exports of plastic waste have increased four and a half times since the beginning of this decade. The amount of waste paper and cardboard became no less than fifteen times as much in that period. Metal waste is also being exported more, last year three times as much compared to 2000.