Although the Chinese government has implemented stricter regulations to control the import of used plastics, the domestic recycling industry is still expected to grow at a double-digit rate. At the Chinaplas Green Forum 2014, Ning Hongtao, president of the Plastics Recycling Committee of the China Plastics Processing Industry Association, highlighted that despite these measures, China remains the world's largest importer of waste plastics. The volume of domestically generated and recycled plastics is also on the rise.
He noted that last year’s “Hedge Action†policy led to a decrease in waste plastic consumption by about one million tons, which was slightly less than anticipated. While some large companies have reduced their imports or shifted to other sectors, the number of new applications for waste plastic import licenses has been increasing steadily. Currently, there are over 3,000 registered enterprises authorized to import and process waste plastics, with more than 10,000 companies involved in the broader recycling sector.
According to data from the special committee, in 2013, China recycled a total of 24.9 million tons of plastics, of which 7.9 million tons were imported—accounting for just over 30%. The European Union remains the primary source, contributing about 25% of China’s total used plastic imports.
Ning pointed out that over 40% of China’s plastic recycling activities are carried out by large and medium-sized enterprises. These firms, mostly located in coastal regions known for plastic processing, enjoy stable supply chains and higher profit margins. Meanwhile, larger-scale recycling operations in central and western China mainly focus on domestic waste plastics.
Provinces like Guangdong, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, and Hebei serve as key centers for recycled plastic distribution and processing, each with its own specialization. For instance, high-grade LDPE films and HDPE materials are primarily processed in Tianjin, Hebei, and Shandong. Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Jiangsu focus on clean PET, HDPE, polypropylene, and some engineering plastics. Fujian has a strong demand for low-grade LDPE films, while Guangdong consumes significant amounts of engineering plastics and various PE, PP, and PET grades.
China’s overall plastic recycling rate has steadily improved over the past five years, reaching 30% in 2013. Small and medium-sized enterprises play a vital role due to their specialized division of labor, efficient logistics, and strong market competitiveness. However, many lack environmental awareness, making them a target for regulatory scrutiny.
Ning emphasized that current policies encourage more sustainable practices, and larger enterprises are more likely to receive support. As a result, small polluting businesses may either exit the market or relocate to industrial parks. In response to these trends, China needs more formalized and large-scale plastic recycling companies to ensure long-term sustainability and efficiency in the sector.
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