The China Plastics Processing Industry Association estimates that nearly 10 million tons of plastic scrap will be imported into China for recycling in 2007, compared with 5.8 million tons in 2006, the Web site Recycling Today reported.

Unscientific recycling of plastic has been one of the main contributors to China's severely polluted environment. A recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said China's severely polluted environment has caused "significant damage to human health".

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