Business · Economy · 5 hrs ago
Rising material prices boost profits for China’s recyclers despite scarce waste
China’s recycling businesses are earning more as prices for primary materials rise.
In Shanghai, scrap collector Li Jie says ordinary recyclables such as cardboard and plastic have become harder to find.
Their higher prices have attracted more collectors and companies, increasing competition for materials including copper and aluminium.
The Iran war and other factors have pushed up primary-material prices, giving recyclers a profit boost.
Scarce waste has not erased those profits, even though the volume available to collectors is low.
Li says his business remains profitable and he does not plan to leave.
The account gives no further plans or expected changes for the sector.
Rising prices for primary materials have boosted profits for China’s recyclers despite low waste volumes.
Scrap collector Li Jie said ordinary recyclables such as cardboard and plastic have become hard to find.
He said higher prices have attracted many new collectors, including companies.
Li said his business remains profitable even at small volumes, and he does not want to leave it.
- Who
- Chinese recyclers and scrap collectors, including Shanghai collector Li Jie.
- What
- Rising primary-material prices have lifted recycling profits despite low volumes and scarce waste.
- When
- The article was published on November 4, 2026, and updated that day.
- Where
- China; Li Jie’s scrap-collecting business is in Shanghai.
- Why
- Prices for primary materials have risen, which the article attributes to the Iran war and other factors.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Higher prices attracted more collectors and made recyclables harder to find.
Li Jie said his business remained profitable despite low volumes.
- Article date
- November 4, 2026
- Location
- Shanghai
- Collector
- Li Jie
- Hard-to-find recyclables
- Cardboard and plastic
- Other materials mentioned
- Copper and aluminium
What people are saying
Ordinary recyclables like cardboard and plastic are now hard to come by
Their prices have risen so much that there are so many collectors, including many companies
But even at small volumes, he said, the business remains profitable and he has no desire to leave