China: The China Scrap Plastics Association has joined the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), bringing the world organisation a step closer to the creation of an independent commodity division for plastics recycling.
 
For many years, BIR has been trying to develop its Plastics Committee into a Plastics Division. But to make this transition, a commodity committee must be supported by a certain number of companies and national associations which agree to pay membership fees to contribute financially to the creation of a fully-independent commodity division. The participation of experts is also a requirement.
 
Chinese membership will boost the BIR Plastics Committee and attract other associations and companies from that sector worldwide, according to the world recycling body. 'China is an important market for plastics recyclables and BIR needs a professional body in this country to ensure environmentally sound processing and recycling of plastics, as well as the development of new markets and outlets for plastics granulates and recyclables in emerging countries where the demand will continue to grow,' it states.
 
The China Scrap Plastics Association, founded in 2012 in Hong Kong, boasts 120 member companies active in the recycling of plastics, with a total import volume of 3 million tonnes. Its ＥＸＥＣutive president is Dr Steve Wong, owner of the Fukutomi company.