China’s latest announcement banning solid waste imports is not a new policy, but “rather an affirmation” of the Asian nation’s “original intent,” according to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI).
ISRI indicated that post this announcement, the Chinese government is drafting new regulations on what can constitute “mill-ready” scrap under the new standards for non-ferrous raw material imports issued by it earlier this year. Moreover, ISRI is preparing comments on the draft regulation to share with the Chinese government.
The definition of mill-ready scrap, according to the initial draft, includes certain higher grades of aluminum and copper scrap that can be imported by Chinese smelters.
Last week, China left many scrap exporters confused after announcing a ban on solid waste imports starting January 1, 2021. The ban includes scrap that is classified under “solid waste used as raw material.” Furthermore, the country announced that licenses issued to scrap exporters to ship “solid waste used as raw material” would have until December 31, 2020, to complete their shipments after which those licenses will expire.