RCA Markets Workshop
On April 3, in Sherwood Park, the RCA delivered a workshop on the new reality of the China Market. The workshop covered The National Sword policy in China, that has imposed strict restrictions on scrap paper and plastic imports with widespread impact on North American access to recycling markets.
Presenters confirmed that municipalities’ markets and pricing for recyclable materials have been impacted by China’s ban and are also affected by new, and currently unattainable, quality standards. After a background from the Alberta Plastics Recycling Association, the session featured presentations from primary brokers, such as Tom Baranowski from Seaport International, and recyclables processors including GFL Environmental, Cascades Recovery+, SUEZ Canada, Canada Fibers, and Merlin Plastics. West Can Marketing and Can-Cell Industries also joined the panel to discuss realities for local domestic markets.
Attendees were able to get comprehensive updates on the new reality of recycling markets, the changes in China and why the ban was implemented, and received guidance on accessing new markets and improving sorting and quality standards.
This workshop was presented with the generous support of the Canadian Plastics Industry Association / Alberta Plastics Recycling Association, and Strathcona County.
