Waste is a terrible thing to waste

China is playing a significant role in reducing the world's carbon footprint since it became the biggest importer of recycled materials, used extensively in the country's rapid infrastructure construction. Also, improvements in China's recycling industry regulations have helped to improve the standards of recycling globally.

"China's growing economy has created great demand for scrap materials, and the use of scrap instead of primary materials reduces carbon emissions. Although China's economic growth has slowed, it is still playing an important role," says Alexandre Delacoux, director-general of the Brussels-headquartered Bureau of International Recycling.

With members from more than 70 countries, the bureau works to encourage best industrial practices in recycling so that the environmental impact of economic development is kept to a minimum.