UK reprocessors are told not to rely on exports to China

Waste plastics collectors and reprocessors should not rely on demand from China, delegates heard at today’s UK Plastics Recycling Conference in Telford, organised by PRW and Materials Recycling Week. Paul Davidson, materials sector manager for plastics at the Waste Resources Action Programme (Wrap), said Chinese demand was one of the greatest uncertainties in the industry.

“We don’t really understand Chinese trends. They have becomes so important but we understand so little about them.” He expressed ethical and environmental concerns about the strength of the UK waste plastics export market. “Should we increase or maintain our dependence on exports? Definitely not.”
But Davidson admitted that good prices paid by overseas buyers were helpful in boosting the fortunes of UK recycling schemes in the early stages of their business development.