Shifting the pollution problem : recycling plastics in Southern China

Abstract

The thesis examines the effectiveness of recycling as a market remedy for the environmental impacts of wastes. A case study of the market for recycled plastic wastes is presented. Data was collected on the North American plastic waste market, and on environmental and labour conditions in nine plastics recycling factories in Guangdong, China, which import plastic wastes from developed nations for processing. Land and air pollution, as well as excessive work hours and occupational health concerns were identified. Findings show that the integration of plastics recycling into a global market has shifted the impacts of plastic waste management from North America to less powerful citizens in China. Additionally, the case study revealed the difficulty of tracing plastic waste as a commodity and thus, in determining accountability within a complex, global trading network. These findings strongly indicate that policies which rely on the market to provide environmental protection, are inadequate. Alternative policy instruments are suggested, which would shift environmental decision-making from the private to public sector.