A collapse in the world plastics market has forced one local recycling company to indefinitely suspend pickup of the product, while another one will stockpile the material for the time being.
Blue Jewel Curbside Recycling sent a note to its customers last week letting them know that it's no longer able to recycle most plastics because there is simply no market for the product after China passed new rules limiting imports of foreign material.
"We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, and perhaps, agony, this may cause and regret that there is no alternative to offer at this time," Blue Jewel said in a statement posted on its website, adding it will continue to collect beverage containers.
R3 Residential Recycling also has been told by its local contractor that it can no longer take household plastic, but owner Ed Shea plans to continue to collect plastic and store it himself until his company purchases its own shredder, which will make the plastic more attractive for resale.
"I don't think that should be a reason to stop [collecting]," he said. "It's basically all recyclable."
UNBC has a program to collect plastics for students, faculty and staff and has yet to experience any repercussions from the change in the market.
Historically, much of the recycled plastic collected in Prince George was compacted and shipped to China where it was recycled into new products. That all changed when China implemented its "green fence" policy to keep certain plastics out and suddenly left recyclers without a place to send bulk plastic.
Blue Jewel owner Duane Culham said he knew that when China tightened its rules, there would be consequences locally.
"I was surprised it happened so soon, but I was expecting this year would be tough," he said.
Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society executive director Terri McClymont said Prince George residents interested in recycling have a few other options, including buying more items in recyclable glass containers or reusing consumer plastic products for food storage.
Fewer options to recycle plastics will likely mean more of that material ends up in landfills.
"There will be more plastics going back into the landfill because these businesses are no longer accepting it," McClymont said. "Others might find other options, they might collect it and take it down south when they're travelling."
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George continues to collect milk jugs at its recycling depots and McClymont said the market for that product remains viable because it's a more sought after material. Plastics No. 6 and No. 7 are the most difficult to recycle.
Next spring a provincial government stewardship program is expected to be launched which should greatly increase the recycling options for plastics. With that change on the horizon, McClymont said companies have been adapting their packaging to ensure there's a market for the recycled material.
"With the push from the government, the push from residents, industry has started to tackle what to do with their products," she said.
