Vancouver, Wash. – Regional solid waste partners, including Clark County, city of Vancouver and Waste Connections, are closely monitoring the Chinese government’s proposed changes to the quality of recycled plastics and mixed paper it will accept. China will no longer accept bales of recyclables containing unwanted materials.

The proposed changes potentially could affect local and global recycling efforts. For years, the majority of the region’s curbside mixed paper and plastic recycling has been sold to markets in China. Waste Connections of Washington, Clark County’s local waste and recycling processor, is preparing to meet new requirements by physically slowing processing equipment to better sort materials.

The regional partners are closely following this situation to understand and anticipate market impacts, if any, and will keep residents informed. 

“Residents of Clark County can help by recycling right and only putting approved materials in their blue curbside recycling cart,” said Travis Dutton, Public Health’s Solid Waste program manager.

“Our recycling processor has been a leader in producing high quality bales of recycling,” Rich McConaghy, Vancouver Public Works’ environmental resources manager, said. “We are optimistic that we can weather this potential storm.”

Waste Connections recently mailed its customers an updated “Recycling Done Right” guide, available at http://wcnorthwest.com/Resources_Local/files/Newsletter_2017.compressed.pdf. Residents can refer to the guide to check which materials go into the curbside recycling cart and which materials go in the garbage. Another valuable resource is the Recycling A to Z Directory, available at www.recyclinga-z.com.

“Because the pending changes also are affecting other recycling efforts through local businesses, if you want to drop off materials for recycling, make sure to call before you drive,” Dutton said.

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CONTACT
Travis Dutton
Solid Waste program manager
Public Health
360.397.8103
travis.dutton@clark.wa.gov