Skip to main content
Back to Show
PBS News Hour

Why your recyclables might have no place to go

Until this year, China had been America's -- and the world's -- number one recycling market. But China has shut its doors to plastic waste, which could result by 2030 in more than 100 million tons of trash with nowhere to go. So how did our recycling become so reliant on a country half a world away? Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports.

Sign up now for inspiring and thought-provoking media delivered straight to your inbox.
Season
June 10, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
June 10, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
June 9, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
56:45
June 9, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
June 8, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
24:09
June 8, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
June 7, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
24:09
June 7, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
June 6, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
June 6, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
June 5, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
June 5, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
June 4, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
June 4, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
June 3, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
June 3, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
June 2, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
June 2, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
June 1, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
24:09
June 1, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
May 31, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
24:09
May 31, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
May 30, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
56:34
May 30, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
Active loading indicator
California News
She Left Her Abuser. Now the Shelter That Helped Her Is Losing Federal Funds Under Trump
She Left Her Abuser. Now the Shelter That Helped Her Is Losing Federal Funds Under Trump
California nonprofits that provide lifelines to crime victims have lost millions of dollars in federal grants.
californianews
Read more
New California tool ranks extreme heat danger by neighborhood. Here's how it works
New California tool ranks extreme heat danger by neighborhood. Here's how it works
It’s going to be hot this summer. And a new tool can help you figure out the risk that the temperature can pose to your health.
californianews
Read more
From save our state to sanctuary, California’s immigration views have shifted dramatically
From save our state to sanctuary, California’s immigration views have shifted dramatically
California voted to bar immigrants from schools and social services in 1994. Now most Californians see immigrants as a benefit to the state.
californianews
Read more
Federal Proposals Threaten Provider Taxes, Key Source of Medicaid Funding for States - KFF Health News
Federal Proposals Threaten Provider Taxes, Key Source of Medicaid Funding for States - KFF Health News
Republican proposals to tighten the use of special taxes to fund Medicaid programs could deprive states of billions of dollars for safety net health care. In California, any such limit would come on top of Medicaid cuts proposed by California Democrats in response to a $12 billion state deficit.
Read more