BIR Debates New Realities of Post-Covid Plastics Recycling Market

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The virtual World Recycling Convention Week 2020 hosted by the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) discussed the realities of plastics recycling markets around the world. The experts debated the impacts of pandemic on collections and the trade challenges posed by the Chinese implementation of the new rule on recycled plastic pellet imports into the country.

According to Sally Houghton, deputy executive director of Plastic Recycling Corporation of California (PRCC), the plastic markets in the U.S. witnessed a rollercoaster of a ride. Many recycling collection systems were either shut down or operated at reduced working schedules. The pandemic had forced several curbside programs to suspend their services. The disruption led to correction in prices.

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As of now, many sites have reopened with new operating protocols. The PET pricing has recorded slight increase in certain parts of the U.S. and Mexico.

The panelists noted that shipments of reprocessed pellets from Southeast Asia to mainland China have been heavily affected. The recycled pellet import rules are seen having a stifling impact on Chinese pellet imports. The recyclers are seen reluctant to take risk for importation of recycled pellets, said Steve Wong, executive president of the China Scrap Plastics Association (CSPA).