China has historically purchased more than 30 percent of U.S. recyclables. However, in January, it enacted the National Sword Policy, banning the purchase of the majority of U.S. recyclables due to the high levels of garbage, or contamination, mixed in with the recyclables. As a result of the ban, China now purchases less than 3 percent of U.S. recyclables.
In an effort to resolve this problem, bin manufacturers, including BearSaver, Bigbelly Smart Waste and Recycling Systems, CleanRiver Recycling Solutions, EZ Dump Commercial, Landmark Studio & Design, Max-R and Securr are joining forces with nonprofit organization Recycle Across America (RAA) to offer the standardized recycling labels on their recycling, compost and trash bins to make it easy for the public to recycle properly throughout society.
