California’s dependency on China to purchase our recyclables has come to a screeching halt due to a new China policy called the “National Sword”, which severely limits the level of contamination China will accept coming in to their ports of entry. Consequently, many communities in our State have reluctantly started to landfill our recyclables.  This is unacceptable.
 
There are solutions, and ways we can “convert” materials into products here in California, as opposed to simply diverting them from landfills and shipping them overseas. If California truly wants to be a leader in recycling, we must all work on ways to close the loop and be a leader in recycled-content value added manufacturing as well. On October, 29th, 2018, the Chamber hosted the following BIN Summit to encourage discussions to work together on environmental and economic solutions.
 
Welcome
Linden Coffee, Co-Chair Green Team San Joaquin, American Recycling

 National Sword Dilemma and Opportunities 
Adina Renee Adler, Sr. Director for Govt. Relations & International Affairs, Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. 

Presentation Slides

Solutions Panel: 
Doug Kobold, Executive Director, California Product Stewardship Council: Moderator
Assembly member Susan Talamantes Eggman, 13th Assembly District
Alex Oseguera, Vice President & General Manager Waste Management                                               
Ellen Martin, Vice President, Impact & Strategic Initiatives, Closed Loop Fund
Eddie Tolentino, Caraustar (Paper)
Navid Rezaei, Plant Manager, Epic Plastics

Going Forward Action Items