BIR Mirror Shared Optimistic View on Plastics Recycling Industry

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The latest quarterly Mirror published by the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) states that the global plastics recycling industry witnessed a strong initial six-month period in 2021, mainly driven by global economic recovery. The recyclers maintained optimistic view on the sector, despite several issues such as shortage of input materials and shipping constraints.

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According to Henk Alssema, Chair of BIR Plastics Committee, the loading and unloading capacities at ports and other available logistics facilities are inadequate to meet the rising demand since H2 2020 and subsequent container shipment volume. The industry faces severe shortage of containers and delay in clearance at ports, which in turn have significantly impacted global plastics trade.

Steve Wong, executive president of the China Scrap Plastic Association (CSPA) continued to maintain bleak outlook on Chinese markets. Many recycling factories in several Asian countries including China have been forced to shut their operations temporarily on account of shortage of scrap plastics, due to prolonged logistics problems.

The Mirror noted that intense lobbying by the plastics industry has resulted in Turkey reversing its decision to ban imports of scrap plastic into the country just after two weeks from the date of implementation of the ban.