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Reports on the impact of the increase of international demand for recycled paper annually for recycling services worldwide. Growth of demand for paper products in China; Expected increase of demand for recovered paper in Europe; Challenges faced by the paper recycling industry in the future and solutions to meet the demand for recovered papers.

The article focuses on the report released by the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) that determines that increasing global demands for old corrugated containers (OCC). Because of the recycled cardboard's supply shortage, leading paper mills are exploring for other fiber alternatives including corn stalks, kenaf, and straw. The U.S. imported most of its OCC from China. AURI officials explained that Chinese cardboard manufacturers are using OCC so the price continues to rise. Liberty Paper Inc. has partnered with the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Energy, and the Economic Development Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, to find alternatives to OCC and wood pulp.

The article provides a brief description on the current integrated waste management system in Guangzhou, China. The province has organized a daily waste collection for municipal wastes which was organized by districts. The collection of recyclable cardboard, paper and metals have been considered as a source of income by Chinese migrants.

Comments on the impact of China's entry into North America's recycling industry. Implications of Hong Kong's return under the Chinese rule; China's steps towards westernization; Recovery of some grades of recovered paper; China as a major consumer of recovered paper.

The article reports that China banned plastic bags on June 1, 2008. Shopkeepers have been prohibited from handing out plastic bags to customers except for bagging fresh and cooked foods, the article states. Statistics are given indicating the number of plastic bags used in China daily as well as the number of barrels of oil necessary to manufacture those plastic bags. Topics include environmental groups in China and reusable cloth bags in schools. Also discussed is the enforcement of the plastic bag ban in large cities such as Beijing, China.