Up to 140,000 imported waste papers per gram of waste paper

The inspection report from the Hubei Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau recently showed that the province’s waste paper imported from overseas was heavily polluted, with a total of 140,000 bacteria per gram of waste paper. It not only carries pathogens and rodents that are harmful to the human body and agroforestry, but also contains a large amount of foreign garbage. The relevant parties called for strengthening supervision and imminence.

The paper industry in the province is heavily dependent on imported waste paper, with large quantities and lots. At present, an average of 20 standard containers of waste paper are imported every week. It is reported that imported waste paper mainly comes from the United States and Europe.

The waste paper imported from abroad was heavily polluted. Of the 8 samples sampled and tested by the Hubei Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, 5 were found to be Staphylococcus aureus, 6 were positive for E. coli, 4 were positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the samples were waxy. Seven spores were positive, accounting for 62.5%, 75%, 50%, and 87.5%, respectively, of the number of samples. The total number of bacteria in each gram of waste paper is up to 140,000.

Imports of contaminated waste paper, lack of raw materials for papermaking have been eased, and forest resources can be protected. However, the health and environmental protection issues are serious and the sequelae are unthinkable.

The inspection, quarantine, environmental protection, and sanitation departments recommended that the “Administrative Measures for the Inspection and Quarantine of Imported Waste Paper” be formulated as soon as possible, strengthen the pre-inspection and supervision of overseas installations, increase the supervision of imported waste paper, and strictly control the customs clearance and customs clearance. Sanitary treatment to prevent "sickness from the mouth."