China, the biggest buyer of recyclable materials, notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it would be imposing a ban on the import of a broad range of recyclable materials including plastic, waste paper, and textiles from 2018. As the primary exporter of recyclable materials to China, the United States will be hit hardest by the ban.
“Wishful” and “dirty” recycling reduces the value of the commodity household recycling becomes once it is collected. Many people throw more than they should into their recycling containers because they think “the hauler will sort it at the facility,” and so they don’t feel the need to be extra cautious about how they sort.