In 2018, China – the No. 1 destination for US recyclables – cracked down on imports of “recyclables” that contained trash, and had even stopped taking certain materials altogether.  Referred to as the “Chinese Sword” this policy decision has driven up the cost of business for US recycling facilities, which in turn started significantly increasing fees they charge municipalities and assessing substantial penalties for contamination. These higher recycling costs have caused some cities to consider eliminating curbside recycling. During this session, participants are provided with an update on the Chinese Sword, presented with case studies on how municipalities have offset higher recycling processing fees by decreasing collection costs through technology and routing efficiency, and strategies to reduce contamination in recyclables.

Continue the conversation after the program, click here to download the facilitator discussion guide.

After attending this session, participants will be better able to:

  1. Explain the benefits of automation in solid waste.
  2. Recognize how automation can improve safety.
  3. Identify strategies to reduce contamination in recyclables.

This program is sponsored by the APWA Solid Waste Committee.

Contributor/Source

Karen Luken;Robert Gardner;Eric MacDonald

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