Changshu port reported a more than 27 per cent decrease in waste paper imports last year to 890,000 tons, the first decline in seven years according to China News Agency.

Analysts believe that the fall is due to a more competitive price of domestic waste paper, especially after several recycling plants went bankrupt on pollution charges, leaving their stock unused and thereby bringing down prices. Better sorting technology and improved recycling rates have also contributed to the increased volume of domestic waste paper. These factors have encouraged companies that traditionally import waste paper to use more domestic sources of the product.