China's One-Step Recycling Plant Tackles Plastic Waste Crisis

As of August 2025, a cutting-edge recycling facility in Jieyang, China is leading the charge in tackling the country's plastic waste crisis. The plant, located in the eastern part of Guangdong province, is set to process 200,000 tons of plastic annually through an innovative "one-step" chemical processing method.

The key innovation of this facility is its ability to directly convert low-value mixed scrap plastics into high-value chemical raw materials without the need for sorting. According to Jieyang's deputy Party secretary, Wang Shaole, this "deep catalytic cracking" process will "effectively solve the problem of plastic pollution and achieve high-value recycling and utilization."

The Chinese government is fully behind this project and plans to support its expansion in the coming years, with the goal of recycling over 3 million tons of scrap plastic annually. This ambitious initiative is expected to help alleviate China's reliance on crude oil imports and contribute to the country's development of a green circular economy.

Compared to the United States, where only 21% of household plastics are currently recycled, this new recycling plant in Jieyang represents a significant step forward in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis. By eliminating the need for sorting, the facility aims to make the recycling process more efficient and accessible, ultimately keeping more plastic waste out of landfills and oceans.