Recyclables Dumped in Oregon Landfills Since China Ban

Since China’s ban on recycled imports, many states across the nation have been trying to figure out how to handle their recycled paper and plastics. And Oregon, which relied on China to take in a large amount of its recyclables, has felt the impact.

In the months since China implemented its ban, Oregonians have sent 23 million pounds of recyclables to landfills. At Salem’s Garten Services alone, 2.6 million pounds of mixed paper and plastics have been collected from Marion County residents.

According to Oregon law, it is illegal for garbage haulers to dump recyclables in landfills, but 26 companies have been given special permission to do so for the time being.

The Statesman Journal has more:

Oregonians have sent 23 million pounds of recyclables to landfills in the months since China began turning them away.

Salem’s Garten Services is among those that have dumped the most, throwing away 2.6 million pounds of mixed paper and certain plastics collected in Marion County residents’ big blue bins.

On Jan. 1, China stopped allowing many materials to be imported for recycling, saying contamination levels were too high. China was the world’s largest importer of recycled paper and plastic, and took most of Oregon’s recycling.

Read the full article here.