“Could do better” seems a harsh verdict on a country that has single-handedly revitalised the paper recycling industry, but when that country is as large as China even a small improvement in efficiency will create a global benefit.
A report by Forest Trends, a forest conservation group based in Washington DC, has singled out China as an unexpected force for environmental good. Since 2002, the country has recycled 65 million tonnes – about 7 per cent – of the world’s waste paper. In 2006 alone this saved 54.3 million tonnes of trees from pulping. “Before China became interested in…
