Timeline of China’s Import Policies and Response from Affected Parties Chart
(Adapted from Resource Recycling’s “From Green Fence to red alert: A China timeline”)
- February 2013: Green Fence launched
- November 2015: New two-month customs crackdown on importer practices
- February 2017: National Sword announced
- Mid-April 2017: Early indications of a ban
- Mid-July 2017: Additional enforcement on polluting facilities in China
- July 18, 2017: China files intent to ban certain recyclables with WTO
- Late July 2017: China proposes 0.3 percent maximum contamination levels
- Mid-August 2017: Reports of slowdown in exports to China
- Late September 2017: Initial impacts of import restrictions reach curbside programs and MRFs
- November 2017: China increases contamination limit to 0.5 percent
- December 2017 to January 2018: China issues limited import permits for 2018
- January 2018: Significant shifts in material flow away from China
- Late January 2018: CalRecycle public meeting on China’s policies
- February 2018: Continued industry focus on cleaner materials
- March 2018: 0.5 percent contamination limit takes effect
- Mid-March 2018: Blue Sky 2018 announced
- Mid-April 2018: China announces additional materials prohibited by end of the year
- May 2018: China suspends CCIC North America for one month
- June 2018: CalRecycle workshop on changes to international commodity markets