HANOI (Scrap Register): Vietnam has accepted much more material since China cut off imports of plastic scrap, due to which Vietnam shipping terminals will temporarily stop accepting imports of scrap plastic, citing an overload of the material that has caused backups and delays. The move is a significant development for the global recycled plastics industry.

Tan Cang-Cat Lai, which is among the largest Vietnamese shipping terminals, has amassed more than 8,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units, a measurement for container quantity) of scrap plastic and paper on-site as of May 21. The terminal has temporarily stopped accepting scrap materials due to the backlog.

Tan Cang-Cai Mep, a smaller terminal, has stockpiled 1,132 TEUs that can’t be moved to the larger terminal due to the buildup.

The terminals will also require more thorough documentation for all scrap loads beginning June 15, according to the letter from Vietnam’s Tan Cang-Cai Mep International Terminal.

This means shipments must be accompanied by valid import permits and a written guarantee of when the container will be picked up by the buyer.