As material prices fall, U.K. grapples with mounds of un-recycled recyclables 3

Comments View as Flat

1. 

   tui3 Posted 9:17 am
   06 Nov 2008

   Closing the loop - other measuresIt would be nice to have stronger measures to address the waste issue.  For example, a mandatory level of recycled content in new products. Bring on extended producer responsibility - in my view, the sooner this happens across the board the better.  

   Permalink

2. 

   Tasermons Partner Posted 10:12 am
   06 Nov 2008

   Where's WALL-E when ya need him?

   Permalink

3. 

   TrashTsar Posted 3:50 am
   07 Nov 2008

   Like All the Other Markets, Recycling has CrashedWe're having similar problems in the US. A big part of the problem is that the lockup in the credit markets has made it difficult for Chinese buyers to get the "letters of credit" that facilitate exports. Without a letter of credit, a seller in the US has no assurance of getting paid.
   Adding to the problem is that, in response to the worldwide economic slowdown, paper mills and other industries in China have slowed output and thus slowed or stopped their imports of recycled raw materials.  That has caused prices for recyclables to fall very far and very fast. Mixed paper, for example, has fallen from $120 per ton in July to -$3 today (yes, we PAY the "buyer" $3 to recycle the paper!).
   Recycled content requirements and extended producer responsibility are important concepts that will help in the long term.  But in the short run, if the economy is dead, there's just no demand for recyclables.

   Permalink