The recycling market is looking more like trash than treasure lately, and those in the industry see no end in sight to the hard times. Advanced Disposal General Manager Steven Estes says China is the problem, and it has nothing to do with tariffs.

Estes also points to the low price of oil which reduces the value of recycled plastic. Estes admits there are municipalities looking at ending their recycling programs across the country, but he doesn’t expect that locally.