Paper imports hit recyclers

The Department of Foreign Trade has called urgent talks with paper-recycling stakeholders after a rise in waste-paper imports sparked a price collapse that has hit domestic operators.

The foreign influx has seen the wastepaper price drop from three baht per kilogramme to 1.5-2 baht/kg, department chief Keerati Rushchano said yesterday. “I’m afraid we can’t wait for [normal relief ] measures,” he said, citing the time it would take for state action such as an import ban. His department can reduce import volumes under state “safeguard” measures designed to protect local industries from foreign goods’ impact. However, officials are required to produce proof of the impact, which takes at least a year, Mr Keerati said. Issuing a ban on waste-paper imports may be a good option, but was beyond his department’s authority, he said.

Two agencies — the Industry and the National Resources and Environment ministries — have the power to impose a ban, but only after a public hearing. The whole process would take at least three months, Mr Keerati said. “So we’d better have a discussion and gain information from all parties first.” The meeting, on Jan 9, will be joined by rubbish scavengers, scrap and recycle shop operators and importers of waste paper.

About 1.5 million tonnes of paper waste was imported this year up to October, worth 6.6 billion baht, up from 1.4 million tonnes in 2018. It comes mainly from the US, which accounts for 24%, followed by Italy (11%), and Japan (7%).