China Tightens Recycled Pulp Import Restrictions: Global Ripple Effects on Paper and Recycling Industries

China’s recent environmental policy shift is transforming the global recycled pulp market. After years of tightening restrictions on solid waste imports, China has now expanded its scope even further by banning certain types of recycled pulp. This development highlights the country’s ongoing goal to eliminate “foreign garbage” and improve the quality and sustainability of its locally produced paper. Let’s examine how these changes unfolded and what effects they may have.