Is the recycling industry “trashed” without China buying the recyclables. Well so far, I would yes! I have consulted on thousands of waste/recycling reviews over the years and I have a degree in Waste Management. The true appeal of recycling for most of our clients is not the warm fuzzy green feeling they get when implementing a well planned recycling initiative. Successful businesses get much more excited for the green dollars they saved by implementing a custom recycling plan.