China's plastic demand to rise as foreign garbage ban to curb recycled supply

FILE PHOTO: Groceries in plastic bags hang by a window in Beijing, China, October 23, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - China's already soaring plastic demand may rise even further as the government plans to ban waste-plastic imports by the end of this year, which will curb domestic plastic recycling.

The expected increase in plastic demand highlights the consequences of China's pollution fight and its efforts to modernise its industry. As part of this drive, the world's top importer of rubbish said in July that it would stop importing garbage by the end of this year.