The rise of plastic production sparked the rise of recycling as well. Recycling has existed for centuries for materials like metals, but in recent years along with the rise of plastic production, it has risen greatly in popularity. Increased awareness and concern for environmental health has aided in the rise of recycling. Prior to 2017, the United States and many other countries shipped most of their plastic waste to China for recycling. After China placed a ban on imported plastics, it left many countries with waste products that many facilities weren’t equipped to handle. This paper aims to gain a better understanding of recycling and what has happened in the wake of the recent changes in international plastic waste trade through a comparative study of secondary sources. Changes caused by the 2017 ban in China put a strain on the other countries that still accept plastic products.