China’s scrap dealers are scrambling for waste. So why is the recycling sector booming?

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Price rises for primary materials, a result of Iran war and other factors, have given recyclers’ profits a boost despite low volume

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Mandy Zuoin Shanghai

Shanghai scrap collector Li Jie has a problem, one which would appear unusual to most: trash is getting too valuable.

“Ordinary recyclables like cardboard and plastic are now hard to come by,” he said. “Their prices have risen so much that there are so many collectors, including many companies.”

The wave of new players has made it harder to find those materials, and others such as copper and aluminium. But even at small volumes, he said, the business remains profitable and he has no desire to leave.

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