China saves energy and resources as the largest importer of recyclables, and Europe is an important source of materials and know-how. 

 

China is playing a significant role in reducing the world's carbon footprint since it became the biggest importer of recycled material, used extensively in the country's rapid infrastructure construction. Also, improvements in China's recycling industry regulations have helped to improve the standards of recycling globally.

 

"China's growing economy has created great demand for scrap material, and the use of scrap instead of primary material reduces carbon emissions. Although China's economic growth has slowed, it is still playing an important role," says Alexandre Delacoux, director-general of the Brussels-headquartered Bureau of International Recycling.

 

With members from more than 70 countries, the bureau works to encourage best industrial practices in recycling so that the environmental impact of economic development is kept to a minimum.

 

According to 2008 research conducted by the bureau, the total estimated savings in carbon dioxide emissions obtained through recycling globally is approximately 500 million tons of carbon dioxide. Common recyclable materials include metal, paper and plastics.

 

As China grows, much of its construction work is done using a lot of scrap metals no longer needed in other countries. Such material comes at a cheaper cost than new material, and it helps to reduce global carbon emissions.

 

One key policy that has changed China's recycling industry is China's Green Fence policy. Started in February 2013, it was designed to prevent the importation of solid waste-contaminated shipments.

 

The Green Fence policy has set a limit of 1.5 percent of allowable contaminant in each bale in an effort to keep trash out of China. Previously, some Western companies would illegally send non-recyclable waste material to China, hiding it by labeling it as recyclable material. 

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