USDA bans all scrap plastic imports

Plastics Recycling Update has received several reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has halted the import of any and all plastic scrap material to the U.S. The ban affects all plastic and cardboard material classified as CFR title 7 and has apparently been justified over USDA concerns over the entrance of invasive species into the U.S., following the discovery of bacteria and insect-infested meat in a shipment of plastic scrap entering the U.S. from Mexico.

Initially, it was thought that the moratorium on plastic imports applied only to those from Mexico, however sources at the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers say they have been informed the ban applies to imports from all countries that are not accompanied by original, signed letters stating that the scrap in question is:

• generated at the generator's facility;
• an industry-recognized scrap commodity;
• not obtained from landfills, recycling centers, or other domestic solid waste,
• not commingled with garbage as defined in Title 7 Code of Federal Regulations and Title 9 Code of Federal Regulations;
• not associated with fruits, vegetables, meats, or other plant or animal (including poultry) materials;
• clean and free of all soil, dirt, seeds and any other animal and plant products in accordance with Title 7 and Title 9 Code of Federal Regulations.

  The ban has been in effect since October 8th but is just now beginning to be enforced.
  Many APR members trade heavily in the NAFTA region and could potentially be affected by the new regulation. APR has expressed their opposition to the new regulations and is currently pursuing negotiations with the USDA and other relevant agencies to try and resolve the issue before domestic consumers of post-consumer plastic suffer any negative effects on their business.

  Plastics Recycling Update will continue to pursue this story and invites any readers who might have more information on this developing story to please e-mail comments to henry@resource-recycling.com.