Uploaded January 2018 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago

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As a nation, we’ve been passing on too many low-quality recyclables to other countries — China, primarily — to get them to deal with it.

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Sources and notes:

Recycling import/export data:
Imports:
goo.gl/VZjqHE
goo.gl/bCSRY8
Exports:
goo.gl/ATHcTM
goo.gl/wLhhkB

China’s WTO notice:
goo.gl/Q9jDHQ

Some information came from the Washington State Recycling Association’s Fall Policy Forum. A full list of speakers is available at: goo.gl/d8zeWY