Mill scale exporters worry on Chinese initiative to ban imports of some solid waste by year end, which includes mills scale as well.
Chinese authorities have announced the country will prohibit imports of some solid waste by the end of 2017.
In a 18 Jul’17 filing with the World Trade Organization (WTO), China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection said recovered mixed paper – as well as recycled PET, PE, PVC and PS, textiles, mill scale would be banned from import into the country later this year.
The WTO filing references recent Chinese government efforts to clamp down on the quality of recovered material imports into the country. Through those actions, “we found that large amounts of dirty wastes or even hazardous wastes are mixed in the solid waste that can be used as raw materials,” the environmental ministry wrote.
“This polluted China’s environment seriously,” the filing continues. “To protect China’s environmental interests and people’s health, we urgently adjust the imported solid wastes list, and forbid the import of solid wastes that are highly polluted.”
An adoption date has not been specified, but the filing indicates the ban will take effect by the end of the year.
“This notification will impact exports of mill scale from all parts of the world to China. Although people are waiting for more clarity on this notification, whether all type of mill scale will be banned or certain grade.” said an mill scale exporter based in India.
India is one of the largest suppliers of mill scale to China. India exported 239,810 MT of mill scale in 2016; 344,200 MT in 2015 and 622,162 MT in 2014.
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