Australia faces rubbish crisis as China curbs waste imports

Plastic bottles being sorted for recycling in Dong Xiao Kou village near Beijing, on Sept 17, 2015. China's decision to limit waste imports has prompted warnings of a looming waste crisis in Australia. PHOTO: AFP
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SYDNEY - China's curbs on importing waste have taken a heavy toll in Australia and prompted warnings of a looming national rubbish crisis that could lead to the demise of household recycling.

Australia, which has long been a leader in household recycling, has relied for years on China as the main foreign buyer of its reusable waste.

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