Fukutomi Recycling Ltd

Business philosophy – The APRC 2024, San Diego
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Original by Dr. Steve Wong
August 31,2024
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The invention of plastic has undeniably significantly increased crop production. For example, greenhouse films allow many fruits and vegetables to be grown throughout the year, while drip tapes and hoses bring many benefits in irrigating plants like strawberries and vegetables. Farmers can harvest strawberries three times a year in California, and the yield per acre has significantly increased. Mulch film can provide the soil with the right amount of moisture, and hay film and PP twine can store grass for livestock to feed on during the winter.

Global plastic production is about 400 million tons, with agricultural plastics accounting for 4%, which is 16 million tons. The amount that can ultimately be recycled is meager among this large amount of agricultural plastic. The main reason is that waste agricultural films and drip tapes, especially the thinner ones, have very low recycling rates, with only 20% for mulch films. Eventually, due to high costs, they are not recycled. In contrast, thick greenhouse films and drip hose have an 80% recycling rate and are recycled for agricultural plastic or other plastic products.

Plastics that cannot be recycled are either disposed of in landfills by environmental entities or sent to incinerators to produce fuel. In recent years, there have been proposals to recycle them into crude oil chemically, but the feasibility of this approach is doubtful. In some countries, farmers burn waste plastics without supervision, either due to a lack of diligence in collecting and disposing of them or because of high transportation and handling costs. Even in advanced countries like the United States, some farmers burn agricultural waste plastics before dawn, causing permanent harm and damage to the environment and ecology.
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I presented the recycling costs of various agricultural wastes compared with the cost of raw materials at the APRC Conference. This indicates that there is a greater financial incentive to use raw materials than recycled materials due to the overproduction of prime materials. Not only is the price of prime-grade materials overwhelming the recycled market, but their chemical properties are also superior to those of recycled materials. Factories might consider using prime-grade materials directly rather than recycled materials. This hinders the recycling rate of agricultural waste. In addition, I proposed to the United Nations Environment Programme that it establish a responsibility system for producers, mandating the use of recycled materials in agricultural production to enhance the recycling of agricultural plastic waste.
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第 464 期營商之道 –分享聖地牙哥農業回收大會 2024
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Dr. Steve Wong 黃楚祺博士 26/8/2024
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塑膠的發明無可否認大大增加了農作物的生產，例如温室膜可使很多菓菜在四季進行種植，而農用管道可在灌溉植物如草莓及蔬菜方面帶來諸多好處。加州的草莓一年可以有三次收成，而每畝田的產量也比之前大大提高。地膜還能為土壤提供適量的濕度，而草膜及馬草繩可以保存禾草，供家畜在冬天有糧食。
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目前全球塑料的生產約為四億噸，其中用於農業的塑料佔百分之四。即一千六百萬噸。在這大量的農用塑料中，最終能夠回收的廢塑料極為稀少。主要原因是廢農膜及管道，尤其是比較薄的，這些在回收過程中轉再生成粒料的出成率極低，如地膜只有兩成半，最終因成本過高而未被回收；相比之下，較厚的溫室膜及厚農管則有八成的出成率，大部分被回收再用於農用塑料或其他塑膠產品。
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未能回收的塑料要部分被環保填埋處理或被送焚化爐焚燒用作能源。近年也有人提議用化學回收技術將其回收成原油，我對此舉的可行性持懷疑態度。有些國家的農民在缺乏監管的情況下，偷偷放火燒掉廢塑膠，懶得收集及送去填埋，皆因運輸和處理費用非常昂貴。先進國家包括美國也有個別農民在天亮之前焚燒農廢塑料，這種做法對環境生態造成永久性傷害和破壞。
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在此次會議中，列出了多種農作物廢料回收成粒料的費用及原材料價格。在原材料產能過剩的今天，從經濟角度及物料性能考慮，使用農業回收再生粒料不如直接使用原材料，缺乏經濟推動力。我也在聯合國環境規劃署的會議上多次建議成立生產者責任制，強制使用再生料加入塑膠農產品中，這樣才能提升農業廢塑料的回收。
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#營商之道 #分享 #聖地牙哥農業回收大會 #農業 #塑料 #建議 #成立 #生產者 #責任制 #強制 #使用 #再生料 #提升 #回收

FUKUTOMI GAZETTE - The Latest Situation of Plastic Scrap Imports for Thailand and Vietnam

Original by Dr. Steve Wong
August 12, 2024

The cost of importing plastic scraps to Vietnam and Thailand has been higher than Malaysia's. Shipping a 40-foot container to Malaysia costs around US $500 to US $550 while shipping to Vietnam and Thailand costs over US $2000 per container. In the past, recyclers decided to establish businesses in these countries because of cheap labor, other cost advantages, and the local market's potential. However, despite significant investments of money and resources, since 2018, only about 20-30% of the recycling businesses established in these countries have survived. This may be attributed to choosing the wrong location or making bad decisions. Those who have survived are considered "masters." They endure by making intelligent choices in selecting suitable materials, focusing on less competitive areas with room for price adjustments—such as engineering plastics—leveraging their expertise and having advantages in trading and craftsmanship.

Others in the same industry, operating in areas with low profits and intense competition—such as PP big bags and PE films—have mostly closed down and returned to China or moved to other countries. They are described as coming in suits but leaving in shorts when they return to China.

Unlike the Malaysian government, which views waste plastics as a resource, Thailand and Vietnam have different attitudes. In communication with Malaysian officials, they calculated plastics recycling as a US$9 billion circular economy, indicating they would not give up this valuable resource. Their import procedures and processes are very clear. Recyclers can import non-contaminated, re-processed plastic from recycling factories as neutral cargo, which is not considered waste. Additionally, items with a recycling rate of over 95% and not categorized as hazardous waste can also be imported. Factories with recycling permits can import waste plastics from developed countries.

Conversely, the Thai government has a different approach, especially towards EU countries, and does not allow the import of all waste plastics. Recently, Thailand has stopped the import of licensed factories, leading to many containers already shipped needing to be re-routed at sea to other locations. Some say this restriction is temporary, while others claim it's permanent. Regardless, many recyclers are sure to close down in this wave. Although the Thai government aims to force the recycling industry to focus on processing domestic waste, imported waste plastics are different from local waste plastics. Banning imports does not necessarily increase the amount of local recycling. When China used to import waste plastics, at its peak, it reached up to 9 million tons per year; after the ban, there was no significant increase in the recycling of domestic waste plastics.
Recently, Vietnam has intensified its crackdown on trading import permits, posing a significant challenge to those in the trades and recycling businesses that relied on third-party permits. This has forced some to consider cooperation with permit-holding businesses, leading to increased costs or profit sharing. Despite these challenges, Vietnam still allows the import of waste plastics without restrictions or bans, as long as the regulations for importation and national environmental laws are adhered to. However, the pressure is evident, with some recycling factories in Vietnam being put up for sale, signaling a new round of challenges in the sector.

第 463 期營商之道 – 再生塑料行業面臨 - 結構性改變

最近幾個月不管是中國大陸或東南亞國家及歐美的原材料及再生料價格都一蹶不振，很多人歸咎是季節性因素，認為這段淡季過後便會穩定下來。也有同行認為問題不是這麼簡單，除了傳統的夏天市場比較差外，今次全球第二大經濟體系的中國不論國內外都十分疲弱，而這因素不是短期看到復甦，而是持續性，目前看不到曙光。由於中國經濟的情況在世界舞台舉足輕重，扮演著十分重要的角色，影響全球經濟。以近日中國公佈較差數據，油價就應聲下跌10%，馬上影響全球化工原料市場供求。

中國近年因房地產市場供過於求。據報道中國有三千多萬的空置樓房，剛好在目前人口負增長的情況下，要消化這多出來的物業是無了期，尤其是在目前看不到前景的經濟狀況下，老百姓不敢貿貿然花錢，在不明朗因素籠罩下，很多人寧願看清形勢，先等一下才决定是否入市。正如其他投資市場，股市也經歷近年低位，一潭死水。HDPE再生料供應中國建築業的喉管生產，另外用於玻璃幕牆PVB 材料及尼龍66 做的隔熱條，需求量下降八成以上，而價格也大幅下滑。影響的不只是一羣業界貿易的買賣商，海外供應商及所有再生回收持份者都全部遭殃。

中國也是全球生產最多及產能最大的塑膠原料來源國。在全球四億噸原料市場中，中國的供應量達百分之三十三；中國的產能是二億五千多万噸，佔市場需求量六成以上。中國的產能仍然在增加，塑膠市場受制於極度過剩情況下，巿場價格上漲機會幾乎是零，再生料也難免有突破。奇怪的是有再生料生產商還因降低成本而增加產量，在僧多粥少的情況下大家不斷追貨源，導致可再生材料更加短缺及貨價被推高，有些PE薄膜再生工廠在未能競爭的情況下被迫結業。

另一結構性改變是西方國家不斷把中國製做的產品關稅增加。目標是保護當地工業，如太陽能板、電動車及其他商品。此舉不只打擊(中國)出口，還嚇怕很多廠家紛紛將工廠撤離中國到其他東南亞國家生產，有些甚至搬到墨西哥及東歐國家，做成永久性的供應鏈斷裂。即使餘下在中國的企業也因美國的百貨公司及入口企業不能太依賴中國的供應鏈也減少購買中國產品，這也做成對再生材料的需求。

再生行業的命運多年來被錯誤及標籤為污染行業，現在又面臨新一輪的結構性改變，要生存下來真的不容易。

Dr. Steve Wong 黃楚祺博士
12/8/2024

#營商之道 #再生 #塑料 #行業 #面臨 #結構性 #改變

Business philosophy - The recycling plastics industry is undergoing a structural change

In recent months, prime and recycled materials prices in mainland China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and America have been struggling. Many attribute this to seasonal factors and expect stability after this slow period. However, some in the industry believe the issue is more complex. Apart from the traditional market downturn during the summer, the world's second-largest economy, China, is facing significant economic weakness both domestically and internationally. This factor is not expected to see a short-term recovery but rather a sustained downturn with no visible light at the end of the tunnel. Given China's crucial role on the global economic stage, any fluctuations in its economy significantly impact the global economy. Recent poor data released by China led to a 10% drop in oil prices, affecting the global petrochemical raw material market demand.

In recent years, China has faced an oversupply in the real estate market, with reports indicating over 30 million vacant properties. With the current situation of negative population growth, absorbing these surplus properties seems endless, especially in the current unclear economic conditions. People are cautious about spending money and await an assessment of the situation before entering the market. This caution is similar to other investment markets like the stock market, which has also stagnated in recent years. Demand for recycled materials such as HDPE pipes for the construction industry, PVB materials for glass curtain walls, and nylon 66 for thermal insulation strips has dropped by over 80%, leading to significant price declines. This impact affects not only a group of traders in the industry but also overseas suppliers and all stakeholders in recycling and recovery.

China is the world's largest producer and has the largest capacity for plastic raw materials. China's supply of 400 million tons of raw materials in the global market accounts for 33% of the total. However, with a production capacity of over 250 million tons, representing over 60% of market demand, China's capacity continues to increase. With the plastic market constrained by severe oversupply, the chances of price increases are close to zero. Recycled materials are also facing challenges. Strangely, some recycled material manufacturers are increasing production to reduce costs. In a scarcity situation, everyone scrambles for sources, leading to even more significant shortages of recyclable materials and escalating prices. Some PE film recycling factories are forced to close down due to the inability to compete.

Another structural change is that Western countries continuously increase tariffs on Chinese-made products such as solar panels, electric cars, and other goods to protect their industries. This impacts exports and scares many manufacturers into moving out of China to other Southeast Asian countries, Mexico, and Eastern European countries, creating a permanent rupture in the supply chain. Even the remaining companies in China are reducing purchases of recycled materials as American retailers and importers can only partially rely on China's supply chain, further affecting the demand for recycled materials.
For years, the fate of the recycling industry has been marred by misconceptions and labeled as a polluting industry. It faces a new structural change, making survival even more challenging.

Original by Dr. Steve Wong
August 12,2024

Plastics Recycling Show Middle East & Africa 2024
Date: 10-12 September 2024
Location: Dubai World Trade Centre
Booth number: P736

We are looking forward to meeting you soon!

卜高通美中文投稿天地 2024 年 7 號 - 雀巢公司及聯合利華對再生材料應用的目標承諾將無法按時實現

最近，雀巢和聯合利華以及其他公司宣佈，他們無法履行原先的承諾，在其產品中使用一定比例的再生材料。他們提出了不同的解釋和原因，包括再生材料供應鏈和基建無法滿足需求。如果這些確實是真正的原因，且能夠滿足公眾的期望，我相信其他品牌公司也會效仿。多年來，這些公司口頭上承諾使用再生材料來製造飲料瓶及其他包裝製品，贏得了消費者多年來的信任和支持，但最終未能兌現承諾，實在有些令人扼腕。

幾年前在一個論壇上，有一家公司強調將在2030年開始使用100%再生聚酯切片來生產他們的飲料瓶。當時，我質疑講者在不添加任何助劑的情況下實現這一目標是不太可能，當天的講者強調他並非工程師，要求我留下電郵以便後續解釋，但我從未收到回覆。事實上，許多品牌公司都只是口頭承諾，他們並不了解再生材料的結構及性能，因為食品級再生材料的源頭跟蹤、再生的工序及過程、用的設備，黏度和其他物理性能，需要與食品和飲料級的嚴格要求相符。之後，我經常看到許多品牌公司輕率地承諾在某個年度使用100%再生材料生產產品，我只能苦笑。

塑料原料與金屬不同，經過再生後其物理和化學性能會降低。因此，我們需要加入新材料或通過化學改性來恢復其性能，這些過程可能涉及成本和特定的化學添加劑，這些添加劑並不一定符合經濟和環保的可持續性要求。

我認為近年來，原材料價格持續低迷，例如聚酯切片（PET）目前的價格只有每噸1000美元；相比之下，食品級再生材料的價格接近每噸2000美元。HDPE原料價格大約在1000美元左右；而由牛奶瓶回收而來的再生材料在美國市場價格則達到每噸2000美元。再生料的價格比原材料高出一倍以上，而性能卻非常不穩定；原材料則不需擔心質量問題對生產造成影響。因此，品牌公司為了維持經濟效益，往往找借口降低對再生材料的使用。

如果品牌公司可以隨意做出承諾，卻最終無法兌現，這實在有些荒謬。這些大公司其實早就應該意識到使用再生材料會面臨一定的挑戰和價格上的差異。再生材料行業的生存，很大程度上依賴於再生材料的價格。品牌公司隨意的承諾必將對回收行業造成負面影響，我希望自然保護組織和立法機構能夠正視這個問題。

Dr. Steve Wong黃楚祺博士
29/7/2024

#雀巢 #聯合利華 #宣佈 #無法履行 #承諾 #不了解 #再生材料 #結構 #性能 #維持經濟效 #借口 #負面影響 #正視

[Fukutomi Gazette - Nestle and Unilever shifted their recycled material goals]

Recently, brand companies such as Nestlé, Unilever, etc, announced that they are unable to fulfill their original commitments to use a certain proportion of recycled materials in their products. They provided different explanations and reasons, including challenges in the supply chain of recycled materials and infrastructure limitations. If these reasons are indeed valid and can meet public expectations, I believe other brand companies might follow suit. Over the years, these companies have promised to use recycled materials in the production of beverage bottles and other packaging products, earning the trust and support of consumers. However, they ultimately failed to fulfill these promises, which is quite regrettable.

A few years ago, at a forum, a company emphasized that they would start using 100% recycled PET flakes to produce their beverage bottles by 2030. At that time, I questioned whether it was feasible for them to achieve this goal without adding any additives. The speaker, who was not a material engineer, requested my email for further explanation, but I never received a response. In fact, many brand companies only state their commitments. They lack understanding of the structure and performance of recycled materials, as using food-grade recycled materials involves chain of custody, recycling processes, equipment used, viscosity, and other physical properties that need to comply with strict requirements for food and beverage applications. Since then, I have often seen many brand companies rashly committing to producing products using 100% recycled materials by a certain year, which only elicits a wry smile from me.

Unlike metals, the physical and chemical properties of plastic raw materials decrease after recycling. Therefore, we need to add prime virgin materials or use chemical modifications to restore their performance. These processes may involve costs and specific chemical additives that may not meet economic and environmentally sustainable requirements.

I believe that in recent years, prime virgin material prices have remained low. For example, the current price of PET flakes is only around $1,000 per ton, while food-grade recycled materials are priced at nearly $2,000 per ton. The price of HDPE prime virgin materials is around $1,000, while recycled materials from milk bottles in the US market reach $2,000 per ton. Recycled materials are priced more than double the cost of prime virgin materials, yet their performance is not very stable. On the other hand, by using prime virgin materials, there will be no concern about the quality affecting production. Therefore, brand companies often find excuses to reduce their use of recycled materials in order to maintain economic benefits.

It is truly absurd for brand companies to make commitments arbitrarily but ultimately fail to fulfill them. These large companies should have long been aware of the challenges and price differences involved in using recycled materials. The survival of the recycling industry largely depends on the price of recycled materials. For brand companies to make arbitrary commitments will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the recycling industry. I hope that environmental organizations and legislative bodies can address this issue seriously.

Original by Dr. Steve Wong
July 29, 2024

第462期營商之道 - 最新的EWS (European Waste Shipment) 歐洲廢物運輸法例

正當我們回收行業在摸索如何解讀歐盟執行巴塞爾公約之際，歐盟委員會於2024年4月11日通過最新的EWS (European Waste Shipment)法例在同年5月正式生效，進一步收緊廢物運送，日後東南亞再生廢塑料行業要在歐盟國家購買可再生的廢塑料只會難上加難。

執行此法例還附加一項時間性的收緊。歐盟廢塑料出口，針對非OECD (經合、經濟合作與發展組織) 國家的進口。直至2026年11月所有廢塑料，無論是非危廢或危廢的廢塑料，一律禁止出口；但又在18個月後再次開放給非OECD 國家以通告(prior informed consent )形式可以出口。此通告必須遵守嚴格的規條，工廠必需有環保的處理能力，而且要受到監管，保證所有廢塑料在回收過程中不會做成對環境造成破壞。

剛剛我在日內瓦出席環保會議，跟歐盟國家官員在閒談EWS(European Waste Shipment)法例時，他們全部支持這法例，主要原因是他們沒辦法監管所有貨物的出口，廢塑料到非OECD國家後再生工廠如何遵守及是否遵守循環再生廢料是他們的憂慮。由於歐洲需求大的再生材料可供循環經濟發展，出口此資源違反他們的理念，以及廢塑料回收本地化有協助提高本地勞工就業機會。再者，當地工廠不想廢塑料出口後，發展中國家的生產成本比較平宜，最終加工後出口返回歐洲與當地回收競爭，威脅他們的生存機會。這是業界給政府的意見。

我的論點是其實很多生活廢料及部分的工廠廢料是需要一些基建支持及技術提供加上有效率的勞動力去再生回收。現時歐洲未必在這方面有能力處理，不讓廢塑料出口到其他國家生產沒明顯跡象能增加廢塑料的回收率，而很大可能未被回收廢塑料會被送到堆埋去或焚燒，形成反效果，尤其是某些國家如荷蘭跟本沒辦法處理這些資源。

Dr. Steve Wong 黃楚祺博士
16/7/2024

#營商之道 #巴塞爾公約 #難上加難 #反效果

第 461 期營商之道 –巴塞爾公約的遵守與執行

日前出席瑞士日內瓦BC ICC-16 委員會議，談及廢塑料在出入各國的法規時我分享了我的看法。我強調我們行業不幸受巴塞爾公約的限制，因公約的條文針對是“waste”，即廢物圾垃。我們不是處理垃圾！而是可回收的再生材料，可能很多人搞錯或不理解。官員往往在媒體的報道連同偏見的視頻先入為主的感覺是所有廢塑料是市政垃圾，忽略我們入口的廢塑料主要是已初步分揀好的資源性廢塑料。而出成率一般要八成以上，太低的出成率在成本上是做不了，跟本無利可圖。回收料包括工廠回收在生產過程中所產生的廢料，以及石油化工廠生產線產生的可回收塑料，它們是百分之百可以回收。官員在聽我敘述，但我不知他們是否能明白。我並強調業界不會在書信電郵內容用上“waste”一字，我們一般是用“material” 或“scrap ”材料或廢料來形容。有些國家，例如越南只能用HS3915 廢物編碼報關入口，把我們的可再生資源標籤為生活廢料。

為何廢塑料被邊緣化到今天的地步，我們要從巴塞爾公約的出現說起，事沿在70-80年代很多工業國家把它們的有危險廢棄物甚至核能廢物運送到落後國家及海洋棄掉及堆埋，加拿大率先領導公約的發展，目的是減少危廢的產生，掌握環保處理危廢及減少國與國之間危廢的運送。公約在1992 年五月五日正式啟動法制，而當時有20個國家參與，而今天有191 國家連會員。美國是唯一發達國家不參與，但美國官員則以觀察員身份積極參加會議，支持部份公約的政策。

由開始至今天，這公約不是為我們回收行業而設，最致命的是把我們資源性行業污名化。業界很多時感到自豪是因為我們把廢塑料再生成可持續的材料。誰知道最權威的立法機關聯合國的巴塞爾公約把我們的行業趕盡殺絕，還給業界朋友背上污染地球環境生態的罪名。其實在近年巴塞爾公的修改進一步限制跨境廢物運送，全球的回收率未因此而增加回收，仍然處於百分之九或以下。

我們行業最諷刺的是不懂我們行業的官員為我們立法，用於垃圾及危險廢物的法例來監管這行業。

Dr. Steve Wong 黃楚祺博士
8/7/2024

#巴塞爾公約 #遵守 #執行 #瑞士 #日內瓦 #委員會議 #可回收 #再生材料 #出成率 #八成以上 #污名化 #諷刺

Business philosophy-Compliance and Enforcement of the Basel Convention

Recently, I attended the BC ICC-16 committee meeting of the UNEP in Geneva, Switzerland, where I shared my views on the regulations governing the import and export of waste plastics. I emphasized that our industry, unfortunately, falls under the regulations of the Basel Convention, which targets "waste." We do not deal with garbage but with recyclable materials, a fact that many people may misunderstand. Officials, often influenced by biased media reports and videos, have a preconceived notion that all waste plastics and plastic materials are municipal waste. They overlook the fact that the waste plastics we import are primarily sorted recyclable materials, with a yield rate typically over 80%. Lower-yield materials are not economically viable. Recyclable materials come from factory production waste and petrochemical plant plastics, both of which are 100% recyclable. While I explained this to officials, I am unsure if they fully grasped it. I also emphasized that our industry does not use the term "waste" in our communications, but "material" or "scrap" instead. Some countries, like Vietnam, only allow imports under the HS3915 waste code, labeling our recyclables as they are all plastic waste.

To understand why waste plastics have been marginalized to this extent, we must look at the origins of the Basel Convention. In the 1970s and 80s, many industrialized countries shipped hazardous waste, including nuclear waste, to developing countries and oceans for disposal. Canada led the development of the convention to reduce hazardous waste generation, ensure its environmentally sound management, and minimize transboundary waste movements. The convention became legally binding on May 5, 1992, with 20 countries participating initially. Today, it has 191 parties, with the United States being the only developed country not participating. However, U.S. officials actively attend meetings as observers and support some of the convention's policies.

From its inception to today, this convention was not designed for the good of our recycling industry. The most detrimental aspect is the stigmatization of our industry though being a resource industry. The industry often takes pride in turning waste plastics into sustainable materials. However, the Basel Convention, the most authoritative legislative body, has effectively eradicated our industry and labeled us as environmental polluters. Recent amendments to the Basel Convention further restrict transboundary waste movements, yet global recycling rates have not increased, remaining at around nine percent or lower.

It is sarcastic that the legislation task for our industry is in the hands of officials not knowledgeable about our industry. Rules applicable on the municipal waste and hazardous waste are adopted to regulate a resource recycling industry.

Original by Dr. Steve Wong
July 8,2024

Business Philosophy - My Requirements for Job Applicants

Many of our peers in the recycling industry prefer to employ trusted confidants or friends for transactions and financial management. However, to expand our business and operate on a corporate level, we need to hire external employees in addition to our trusted personnel. Today, doing business is more challenging due to the complexities of import and export regulations, customer demands, the business environment, and market competition. Therefore, we need to recruit more talented individuals to expand our business. Typically, new employees may be able to create value for the company after a year or more.

From the moment we receive an applicant's letter, we begin the selection process. When reviewing applications, we look at their educational background. For my Hong Kong company, candidates need to understand and speak fluent Mandarin and English. Knowledge of Cantonese and other foreign languages is an added advantage. Although I am hiring for business development roles, new employees must have a certain level of knowledge of Information Technology (IT) and be able to use it to promote business, which is in line with the current economic development. I have also noticed that many applicants use AI to write their cover letters, resulting in generic content with phrases and sentences that do not match the rest of the information provided.

Interviews can clarify many doubts. Through interviews, we can assess the applicant's responses and reactions to questions, alignment with our company's culture and values, problem-solving abilities, goal orientation, communication skills, interaction capabilities, and analytical ability. During communication, we must also determine if the applicant's personality fits well with our existing team, ensuring smooth cooperation and interaction. Regardless of the position, good communication with colleagues is the most crucial factor for hiring.

Industry experience and courses in business administration, marketing, and procurement are less important for positions at our company. We prefer candidates with a background in the sciences, especially chemistry, biology, and physics, as this helps in understanding the properties and applications of materials. In today's society, managing "waste" requires a strong focus on science to analyze all substances and data. Understanding the impact on the natural ecosystem and environment is also essential. Waste management is complex, and recycling demands more scientific and data-driven approaches.

Original by Dr. Steve Wong
June 26, 2024

第460期營商之道–我對應徵入職的要求

我們回收行業的朋友大多數會聘用自己親信或朋友在公司負責買賣，甚至財務出納。而我則認為要拓展業務企業化經營，除了親信外，必須要外聘員工。今天我們營商比以前吃力，無論是進出口的法則，客戶的要求，營商環境及市場競爭都增加不少難度。因此，我們要多聘人材拓展業務。而我們行業一般新入職同事要有一年半載經驗才能為公司創造價值。

我們收到應徵信便開始篩選，首先會看應徵者的學歴，必須要懂得英文及能講流利普通話及英語，如會說廣東話及其他國家語言，會優先考慮。雖然我招聘業務發展人員，但因為要配合時代及經濟發展，新入職員工必需在科技領域有一定認識及能夠利用它來推廣業務。我也留意很多應徵者是用AI 寫應徵信，千篇一律及用詞句子跟其他提供資料不吻合。

即場面試可以解答很多疑問，透過面談我們可以看到申請者的對答及反應，並能看到應徵者對我司的企業文化及價值觀的認同程度，從交流應徵者以往經驗去了解求職人的問題解決能力、目標導向、溝通能力、互動能力及理解能力。從溝通裡中我們可掌握應徵者的性格是否跟其他同事能合作互相溝通，不管是在那個崗位，都要跟其他同事有良好溝通態度，是能否取錄的最重要因素。

在我們公司入職工作，行業經驗及縱使工商管理畢業或讀過市場及採購課程相對並不重要。我們會比較喜歡讀理科，尤其是化學、生物及物理畢業的應徵者，因為這些科目可幫助了解物料的性能及應用。在現今的社會，處理＂垃圾＂是十分專門的科學，要分析所有的物質及數據。同時要了解對大自然生態及對環境的影響。垃圾的學問複雜，何況我們做回收再生，更加要數據及科學化。

Dr. Steve Wong 黃楚祺博士
18/6/2024

#營商之道 #應徵 #入職 #學歴 #語言 #能力 #數據化 #科學化

[卜高通美中文投稿天地 2024 年 6 號 - 分享我做員工考核的心得]

每年我司在考慮薪金調整時，會先考慮宏觀經濟環境因素如通脹和勞工市場的供應及需求，然後是公司的經濟環境。我一向都把公司的經濟因素跟員工是否應得的薪酬不掛鉤；換言之，如果公司業績不理想，員工不會因此而受影響。相反，我們更加要維持良好的營商環境及優良公司文化去應付挑戰，同事也必須上下一心，為公司創造價值，企業才可以支持下去，脫穎而出及比同行做得更好。

公司其實是一團隊，不鼓吹個人表演。在我們的行業，牽涉很多買賣及報盤，同事要主動互相分享市場訊息及了解最新的市場動態。避免同事互相重疊報價，互相溝通及在公司指定的群組跟供應商聯絡尤其重要。我也十分注重同事跨部門的聯繫，必須要協調及互相尊重。

近年公司採用數字營銷，很多推廣是通過數字媒體渠道如網站、社交媒體、微訊及電子郵件來創建和傳播內容，同事必需適應環境，配合公司應用科技管理及經營生意。

現代人很不喜歡面談，溝通全部用訊息發放，但不跟進對方有否收到訊息及回覆，這發了訊息不跟進而當任務完成的態度是絕對不能容許在我公司出現。另外，也有同事不回訊息，我司必須杜絕這情況的出現。我最感心痛的是同事漠視公司的指令，這行為不止是沒有把工作做好，而且看像傳染病的把此陋習傳染到各同事及成為文化。所以我們要把這些不良同事立刻解僱。另外，我們同事處理貨不對辨或在處理客戶及供應商投訴時不太思考、未能分辨事物的邏輯、衡量正反兩面的因素，引致問題未能完滿解決，像爛攤子的沒有人關住，影響客戶的關係。

我們經營的貨物品繁多，除了每種塑料有它們的化學方程式及應用外，而且還有它們的價值，同事也應該盡量了解商品的價格及認識，對營銷及購貨才能展示我司的專業。

我司也為了那些有上進心及有能力的同事能分享公司成果，在薪酬評核方面每年兩次及薪金加幅不設上限。

Dr. Steve Wong黃楚祺博士
11/6/2024

#員工考核 #薪金調整 #溝通 #協調 #專業 #薪金加幅 #不設上限

[ Business Philosophy - Sharing Business Experiences in the Nordic Countries ]

For many years, I have been eager to develop procurement operations in the Nordic region, which includes Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. These countries have a combined population of approximately 27,000,000, with Sweden accounting for 10,500,000. The average GDP of the Nordic countries is higher than that of Europe and other countries, particularly in recent years for Norway. Due to the discovery of oil, Norway's average annual income has increased from US$1,441 in 1960 to US $87,739 in 2023, making it one of the highest-income countries in the world. Ironically, Norway used to lag behind Finland, Denmark, and Sweden, but now it surpasses all Nordic countries. Historically, over a thousand years ago, Denmark, including present-day Norway, Sweden, and Finland, ruled England for several decades and possessed the present Baltic states. Therefore, when mentioning Norway, Danes and Swedes feel a bit bitter and indignant, saying that without oil resources, Norway would not have its current achievements.

The first time I came to the Nordic countries was in 1984. That year, a Dutch friend and I drove from the Netherlands through Germany to Denmark, sometimes taking car ferries as if traveling between states, visiting these countries. We spent more than a week in total, finding some suppliers mainly focused on PVC waste and PE films, which were just types of waste plastics available at that time. In the late 1990s, we established contact with Denmark's LEGO and Sweden's Stena, which increased our quantities and provided a stable monthly volume. This continued until 2010, when many businesses from mainland China started competing with us for goods in Europe and America, diverting some quantities to them. Later, mainland China implemented policies banning the import of waste plastics, coupled with amendments to the Basel Convention, limiting the export of most waste plastics. Our imports of recyclable plastics from these countries almost wholly ceased and stagnated. Currently, in these countries, we only import some marine waste plastics from Norway, focusing on fishing nets and ropes and raw materials from Sweden's petrochemical companies.

Many countries' policies prohibit the import and export of waste plastics. With the implementation of the Basel Convention, although their goal is to recycle waste under the premise of environmental protection, the recycling rate remains below 9%. The main reason is that recycling waste plastics requires sorting, classifying, and cleaning to produce recycled materials. Europe, the United States, and other developed countries need more essential resources to classify and recycle the diverse range of recyclable materials. Despite the current sorting methods, equipment like infrared and electrostatic technology, and the widespread use of AI in developed and developing countries, basic manual sorting can only be effectively carried out in labor-resourceful countries. Moreover, most recycled materials are used in the most populous countries in Southeast Asia. Current policies are indeed detrimental to environmental protection and resource allocation.

Original by Dr. Steve Wong
May 31,2024

第 459 期營商之道 –分享北歐生意經歷

多年來我很想發展北歐地區的採購業務，包括有芬蘭、挪威、瑞典及丹麥，他們的人口總和約2千8百萬 ; 其中瑞典已達1千零50萬人。 北歐的平均國民生產總值比歐洲及其他國家高，尤其是近年的挪威，由於發現石油，他們從1960年的1,441美元年均收入增加至2023年的87,739美元，為全球最高收入國家之一。諷刺的是挪威原來是落後於芬蘭、丹麥及瑞典，而現在則超越所有北歐國家。歷史記載丹麥在千多年前，除了擁有今天的挪威、瑞典、芬蘭之外，也曾經統治過英國幾十年及擁有今天的波羅的海國家。所以提到挪威，丹麥人及瑞典都感覺難免有點兒心酸， 十分不忿說若不是挪威有石油資源，他們肯定沒有今天的成就。

我第一次踏足北歐國家是1984年，當年和荷蘭朋友開車從荷蘭出發，沿途經德國至丹麥，有時需要乘汽車渡輪，感覺猶如穿州過省到這些國家，花上了個多星期找了一些供應商，主要集中於PVC廢料及PE類的薄膜，當時也只能買到這類廢塑料而已。後期90年代，我們跟丹麥的樂高及瑞典的Stena 聯絡上，數量才增加起來，並每月都有穩定的數量。直至2010年，中國大陸很多業界都自己跑到歐美國家與我們一起搶貨，有些貨量開始溜到他們手上。後期由於中國大陸禁止廢塑料的進口政策出爐；加上後期的巴塞爾公約修改的法例，限制了絕大多數廢塑料的出口，導致可再生的塑膠進口幾乎完全絕跡及停頓了。目前我們只跟挪威買到有些海洋廢塑料的回收進口，集中在魚網和纜繩，及瑞典的石油化工企業原材料而已。

很多國家的政策禁止廢塑料出入境，加上巴塞爾公約的實行。儘管他們的目的是為了再生廢料可以在環保的大前提上給回收再用，可是回收率仍然維持在9%以下。主要原因是廢塑料的回收情序需要分揀、分類及清洗才可以造成再生材料，而歐美及其他發達國家則沒有這些基本資源可以把種類繁多可回收資源分類造成再生材料；儘管目前使用的分揀方法及設備，如紅外線及靜電，再加上在發達及發展中國家AI附助使用普及化，但基本人工分選只能是透過勞動密集的國家才能有效地回收再生。再者絕大多數的再生材料都是用在於全球最多人口的東南亞國家。目前的政策真的不利環保及資源分配。

Dr. Steve Wong
黃楚祺博士
31/5/2024

#北歐 #挪威 #石油 #海洋廢塑料 #採購 #分揀 #人工分選 #東南亞國家