New Revised People’s Republic of China (PRC) Law on the Prevention and Control of Solid Waste Pollution takes effect September 1, 2020

SHANGHAI, Sep 2(SMM) — A new revision to the PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes (new Revision), which becomes effective on September 1, 2020, imposes joint and several liability on both the carrier and importer for the return and disposal of the solid waste where the solid waste is prohibited and/or proper license has not been obtained, and significantly increases the fines that can be imposed for violations.

“All solid wastes will be prohibited from import into China from January 1, 2021, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will no longer accept and approve applications related to solid waste import,” said spokesman Liu Youbin at a press conference on June 30 2020.

China’s imports of copper scrap are expected to shrink significantly in the near term, lowering the mainland’s copper scrap supply, as the stricter new solid waste law raised concerns on rising import risks and kept enterprises that use copper scrap on sidelines. Some copper rod producers that use copper scrap as raw materials have recently reported difficulties in purchasing copper scrap.

Enterprises that have qualification for hazardous waste treatment do not have sufficient capacity as aluminium ash was listed as dangerous waste, and there are still many enterprises that are able to process aluminium ash but do not have the qualification. In addition, costs of aluminium ash disposal will increase after implementation of the new solid waste law.   

Besides, the new solid waste law could affect transportation of lead-acid battery scrap. That means trans-provincial transportation could be prohibited or transport costs could increasing significantly, which will keep battery scrap prices at high levels.

Other laws and regulations that also came into force from September 1, 2020 includes Regulations on Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Hazardous Wastes in Beijing, Detailed Rules for Recycling of Scrap Motor Vehicles, Regulations on Classification and Management of Domestic Waste in Shenzhen and Regulations on Water Conservation in Guizhou Province.