China's foreign waste ban an opportunity for local entrepreneurs

China has closed its doors to foreign waste, banning the import of 24 different types of waste from the start of this year.

A worker sorts used plastics at a dump in Changping district of Beijing, China Source: AAP

While countries like Australia relied on exporting cheap waste to China, that country's environment paid the price.

Chinese entrepreneurs say the ban is not only a chance to clean up polluted land and waterways, but also to boost the local recycling industry.