In 2018, the import volume of PET waste plastics was only 17,110 tons. Compared with the import volume of 2.5 million tons in 2017, the domestic PET recycled materials are in serious shortage, and the gap is as high as 2 million tons. The procurement of raw materials for downstream recycled PET enterprises is more difficult and the cost is constant. Elevated, business survival is difficult.

     This policy is in line with China's overall strategy of green, low-carbon and circular development. It also fully considers the development needs of China's recycled polyester (PET) fiber industry, which not only solves the problem of raw material sources in the industry, but also strongly supports the recycling of chemical fiber in China. The development of the industry has rejected the waste materials such as inferior waste scraps and scraps, and has received positive response from relevant industries.

     Since May 2018, some companies have successfully imported high-purity recycled polyester (PET) bottle flakes, but from the overall import situation, the import of high-purity recycled polyester (PET) flakes is not smooth, most companies We are not eager to import high-purity recycled polyester (PET) bottle flakes, and the Customs has repeatedly found PET bottle flakes that do not meet environmental protection requirements, making the import of high-purity recycled polyester (PET) flakes foggy.

PET bottle test pass rate is extremely low, corporate response is strong

    The current inspection standard "Recycled Polyester (PET) Bottle Tablets" (FZ/T51008-2014) (hereinafter referred to as "Standard") focuses on the quality identification of goods, and as a criterion for solid waste identification, it is not compatible with its original intention. .

    According to statistics, this year, a customs technology center received 23 batches of recycled polyester bottle tablets, only 2 batches met the testing requirements, and the detection pass rate was only 8.7%. Samples that have not passed the test are directly identified as restricted imported solid waste, and enterprises are subject to return shipments and penalties, and the industry has a strong response.

Detection standards are too harsh and difficult to implement

 The industry standard was established in 2012 and officially implemented in 2014. Some indicators for ensuring the quality of bottle flakes in the past year have obviously not met the actual development of the industry at this stage. Mainly focused on two indicators:

 The first is the “powder” index. The standard powder refers to the material passing through the square hole screen with the pore diameter of 3.55mm×3.55mm. The index requirement is ≤5000mg/kg;

     The second is the “non-polyester residue” indicator. This indicator refers to the non-polyester residue and polyester such as caramel, label glue, fructose, animal and vegetable oil, pigment, pigment and so on. The mass ratio of the flakes. The current industry standard non-polyester residue index value is ≤ 50ppm.

      At present, most of the recycled polyester (PET) bottle flakes do not meet the standard "powder" index, and the non-polyester residue index value is ≤ 50ppm, which is higher than the environmental protection control standard for imported solid wastes that can be used as raw materials. Waste plastics (GB 16487.12-2017) The limit of hazard inclusions ≤ 100ppm is still low.

     Industry standards are too harsh and difficult to reflect industry realities. At present, the standard has been revised by its original editorial unit, and it is expected that the revision process will be completed in July 2019.

The inspection site lacks a fast and effective method of judgment

     Since all the indicators in "Recycled Polyester (PET) Bottle Tablets" (FZ/T51008-2014) are laboratory test indicators, involving 12 indicators, the time required for testing is long, which directly leads to the extension of the overall customs clearance time. The Customs inspection site cannot directly determine whether the recycled PET (PET) bottle is solid waste. The lack of a fast and effective on-site inspection method is the main reason for the extremely low customs clearance rate.

Urgent need to develop environmental management technical specifications for recycled polyester (PET) bottle flakes

    In summary, there is an urgent need to develop environmental management technical specifications for the production of recycled polyester (PET) bottle flakes: which should include laboratory identification methods for high-grade recycled polyester (PET) bottle flakes, rapid customs clearance, which is the method of sensory identification, and suspected solids. The specific conditions of waste are convenient for laboratory identification, port inspection and release, and internal management requirements of industry enterprises.

     While prohibiting the adjustment of major industrial policies such as importing foreign garbage, facing the new industry situation that has already arrived, and actively improving the management system of renewable resource products, it is the real implementation of the policy of prohibiting the import of “foreign garbage”.

What if the PET flakes are identified as solid waste?

    According to the actual import situation of the enterprise, PET bottles are identified as solid waste as well as the following:

     1. PET bottle tablets have not been purposefully processed, and many indicators are unqualified. Such goods are treated according to imported smuggled solid waste, and it is believed that enterprises have nothing to say;

     2. If the PET bottle has undergone purposeful processing, the individual indicators are unqualified and can be used directly, but there is no environmental impact, but it does not meet the ABC level indicators. Is it allowed to import, is it administrative punishment or is it directly returned?

      3. If the PET flakes are purposefully processed, the individual indicators are unqualified, but there are certain environmental impacts. However, how to determine the environmental impact at present, there is no standard, how to deal with such PET flakes?

     Faced with the import of a large number of recycled plastic products, there is currently no open management system in the industry. The industry suppliers do not have a correct reference for what products meet the Chinese standards. How to manage PET bottles that have been judged as solid waste is also in the industry. blank space.

The biggest challenge facing the recycled plastics industry in 2019 is that there is no clear management system.

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