Containers at a port in Jakarta, indonesia.
Import guidelines for scrap paper shipments to Indonesia have been revised and are less stringent than initially proposed, the country’s government announced last week. Still, the rules will mean additional inspections for paper traders.
U.S. recovered plastic exports during the first quarter were down by nearly half from a year ago. Paper shipments remained stronger due to ongoing Chinese demand and growing alternative markets.
In the wake of recent trade announcements from the U.S. and China, recycled paper pulp shipped to China will face additional levies and a North American equipment supplier has predicted major fallout from increased costs.
The move last week by 187 governments to alter a global waste treaty will mean further uncertainty for U.S. scrap plastic exports.
U.S. exports of scrap paper and plastic continued to drop in February, marking the fourth straight month of declining shipments for both commodities.
As international leaders consider action in response to plastic pollution, environmental activists are arguing that turmoil around scrap exports is exacerbating the problem.
Chris Cui on stage at the 2019 Plastics Recycling Conference and Trade Show.
Although the recycling relationship between the U.S. and China was hampered by scrap material restrictions, an expert says companies in both countries can help each other.
The Chinese government last week issued its latest round of recovered paper import permits, approving 2.5 million tons.
U.S. recovered paper and plastic exports each grew slightly in April, hitting their largest monthly volumes so far in 2019.