The export of recyclable materials is a key component of California's recycling infrastructure. Recent changes to international policies restricting foreign imports of recyclable materials, coupled with the need to reduce contamination levels in recycling streams and a declining global market value for some recyclables, have resulted in significant challenges for the solid waste and recycling industry, local governments, and Californians.

Each year, California exports about a third of the recyclable material it collects. Historically, most of that material—particularly unsorted mixed paper and mixed plastics—went to China for processing and manufacturing into new products. China’s recent strict contamination limits and import bans have led to a stockpiling of materials at California solid waste and recycling facilities and declining markets for recyclables.

See tonnage data in table format.

Global policies are reshaping the flow of recyclable material around the world. See more information about why and how China and other countries have restricted recyclable imports.

In the immediate term, CalRecycle is coordinating with local enforcement agencies in order to address challenges and provide guidance around storage of processed recyclable material. In addition, the department is coordinating with local jurisdictions to share examples of local actions that address changing markets for recyclable materials. See more information about the state’s responses and available resources.

See more information about how California jurisdictions are responding to market changes.

Full timeline in text format

Organizations

• Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI): China’s Scrap Trade Policy
• Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA): What You Need to Know About China’s Waste Import Restrictions
• National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA)
• World Trade Organization: China and the WTO

Research

Science Advances: The Chinese import ban and its impact on global plastic waste trade

Media Coverage

• China moves to extend ban to all recovered materials, Plastics Recycling Update (A Resource Recycling, Inc. publication)
• Special Report--China's Changing Import Regulations, Waste 360
• What Chinese import policies mean for all 50 states, Waste Dive
• Plastic News
• Recycling: The Crisis After China’s ‘No’, Bloomberg

Please direct inquiries to exports@calrecycle.ca.gov