The BBC reported on January 1 that it has caused panic in the UK recovery industry since banning the import of plastic waste in the country, which previously shipped 500,000 tons of waste plastics to China but has now stopped trading.
British Recycling Association said that at present the United Kingdom can not handle most of the waste.Association Chairman Simon Ellin told the media he did not know how to solve the problem in the short term.He said: 'This is a huge blow to us, this subversion Our industry. "'We have relied on China for a long time to process these wastes, including 55% of paper and 25% of plastic.'
Starting this month, China has started to impose a ban on foreign rubbish. Although there are other Asian countries that will recycle part of the plastic, this is not enough.
Environment Minister Michael Gove admitted they are slow to respond to the issue, saying the ban will pile British plastic waste and have to be incinerated and landfilled, "said Peter Fleming, an official." Although it can be solved by incineration, it is not There are incinerators in all regions. "'This is a challenge for us and in the long run we need a better waste management strategy.'
However, Louise Edge of Greenpeace says: "The government has been delaying its decision-making and shirking its responsibilities, putting us in turmoil." Incineration is the wrong way, and it is one There are toxic and heavy metals that produce high - carbon, non - renewable electricity.
Environment Minister Michael Gove said his long-term goal is to reduce the amount of plastic used, with different recovery taxes depending on how much plastic is recyclable.