China’s Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CIMA) has implemented new standards and requirements to distinguish recyclable metallic material from solid waste in copper and aluminum imports into the country.
In a notice released by the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), CIMA tendered the government a proposal, outlining the grades and yields of both copper and aluminum, in order to segregate materials deemed fit for recycling from those classified as solid waste.
Some copper products included in the list are Nos.1 and 2 copper wire, shredded copper, and copper nodules, while aluminum products listed in the notice were ingots, cast alloys and three sizes of aluminum pieces.
The preliminary minimum yield rates proposed by CIMA for copper and aluminum are 97pc and 91pc, respectively.
The move is intended to improve recycling efforts in the country by scrutinizing the quality of materials imported. China is also reducing its dependence on recycled materials and has now posted its 10th scrap import quota, which continues to shrink in volume.