Finally A Shield against China's Sword

China's plastic's ban threw the Global Recycling system into disarray and is forcing a rethink on how countries deal with their recyclables into the future. This has been part of a long term plan by China to stop importing plastics and started with Operation Green Fence in 2013 which increased the inspection rate of imported recyclables. They began rejecting recyclables if they were contaminated or if they did not meet their standards (fair enough) but in 2019 they joined other Southeastern Asian countries in announcing a future ban on foreign recyclables. Again I take no issue that a foreign country has decided not to participate in this industry, however it means a huge shake up for the recycling industry in Australia.

Do we send the recyclables to landfill or do we create our own industry here in Australia?

The Federal Governments has decided that Australia needs to develop its own recycling capability and is committing $190 million to be matched by industry as well as state and territory governments to create over 10,000 jobs and divert 10 million tonnes of waste from landfill. “As we cease shipping our waste overseas, the waste and recycling transformation will reshape our domestic waste industry, driving job creation and putting valuable materials back into the economy,” Minister Ley said in a statement on Monday.

If we as a council want to increase compliance in recycling I think we also need to ensure that when someone does the right thing and recycles it doesn't just end up in landfill.

Councils are already looking at how we can purchase more of this recycled materials which can include park benches or even plastic road base. For Burnside Council the change in China's policy has resulted in a $400,000 cost to the budget. This federal project will hopefully reduce this cost as we move away from a Single-Supplier Global Recycling Model. China was importing 7 Million Tonnes of recyclables and waste per year.

The project's funding will generate over $600 million of investment in this industry. East Waste which is part owned by the City of Burnside Council is assisting Green Industries and other key players to develop an SA bid.

If SA could secure a national recycling center this could become one of our largest industries employing thousands of South Australians. This is an investment in our global future.