This Green Earth - January 9, 2018

As this year began, China banned the importing of 24 different materials considered recyclables. What are these materials? How will this ban effect U.S. recycling markets? And who might replace China as the leader in reprocessing our paper, plastic and metal?  Nell and Chris speak with Reece Demille of Republic Services and Carolyn Wawra of Recycle Utah about how the ban will affect their recycling businesses, and what you can do to help. Then, in the second half of the program, they talk about some good news coming out of China.  In a huge step for elephant conservation, China finalized its near-total ivory ban, closing the world’s largest domestic ivory market. How will China monitor and enforce this ban? And, might other countries in southwest Asia simply open up their markets to ivory?