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J. Chang
crucial stage of industrialization when economy and society were both in transition.
In Japan, waste classification was first introduced in 1975 in Shizuoka prefecture,
dividing waste into combustible and non-combustible waste, and the practice was
gradually rolled out nationwide later. After four decades, there are detailed waste
classification rules in Japan today. Germany introduced rough waste classification
rules in 1904, but was still faced with a shortage of landfill in the 1980s. In response,
the German government issued the Packaging Act in 1991, and a system for waste
recycling and reprocessing was put in place in its industrial sector to improve classification. Both Japan and Germany now have sound legislations on circular economy
and circular society which require strict waste classification. In the transition period
of the industrialization process, people are likely to be ready for waste classification as
they probably have grown highly aware of environmental problems after widespread
ecological education and after seeing for themselves the consequences of environmental pollution. Also, at this time point, technological progress and economic development in the previous stages of industrialization would provide a sound foundation
for the government to introduce waste classification rules. Most importantly, at this
stage, waste classification will help address the shortage of natural resources and
reduce pressure on the environmental by producing less waste. Thus, waste classification is more likely to meet with wide support. This is a pattern we see in history
and it is better not to go against it.
China has decided to adopt waste classification policies at a stage similar to
when such policies were introduced in developed countries. On December 21, 2016,
General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over the 14th meeting of the Central Leading
Group for Financial and Economic Affairs, and proposed to roll out waste classification policies nationwide. The General Office of the State Council forwarded
the Implementation Plan for Household Waste Classification issued by the National
Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Housing and
Urban-Rural Development on March 18, 2017. According to the document, waste
classification would be introduced as a pilot program in 46 cities by establishing
a system of relevant legislations and standards by the end of 2020. The purpose
was to develop models of household waste classification that can be replicated and
promoted elsewhere. The General Office of the State Council released the Work Plan
for Zero-Waste City Pilot Program in December 2018. The 2019 report on the work of
the government also required more efforts for urban household waste classification.
Based on the experience of these pilot projects, the Ministry of Housing and UrbanRural Development and eight other authorities jointly issued a circular in June 2019
to promote urban household waste classification in all cities at or above the prefecture
level. According to the circular, by 2025, all Chinese cities at or above the prefecture
level shall have a complete household waste classification and processing system
in place. The circular marks the start of extensive waste classification in China’s
urban and rural areas. China is currently at a critical stage of building an ecological
civilization, and faces an opportunity for the reform of the system for promoting
ecological progress. The CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core decided
to introduce waste classification policies, with specific goals for stages and a road
map for achieving the goals at the current stage, which is in line with the laws of
J. Chang
crucial stage of industrialization when economy and society were both in transition.
In Japan, waste classification was first introduced in 1975 in Shizuoka prefecture,
dividing waste into combustible and non-combustible waste, and the practice was
gradually rolled out nationwide later. After four decades, there are detailed waste
classification rules in Japan today. Germany introduced rough waste classification
rules in 1904, but was still faced with a shortage of landfill in the 1980s. In response,
the German government issued the Packaging Act in 1991, and a system for waste
recycling and reprocessing was put in place in its industrial sector to improve classification. Both Japan and Germany now have sound legislations on circular economy
and circular society which require strict waste classification. In the transition period
of the industrialization process, people are likely to be ready for waste classification as
they probably have grown highly aware of environmental problems after widespread
ecological education and after seeing for themselves the consequences of environmental pollution. Also, at this time point, technological progress and economic development in the previous stages of industrialization would provide a sound foundation
for the government to introduce waste classification rules. Most importantly, at this
stage, waste classification will help address the shortage of natural resources and
reduce pressure on the environmental by producing less waste. Thus, waste classification is more likely to meet with wide support. This is a pattern we see in history
and it is better not to go against it.
China has decided to adopt waste classification policies at a stage similar to
when such policies were introduced in developed countries. On December 21, 2016,
General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over the 14th meeting of the Central Leading
Group for Financial and Economic Affairs, and proposed to roll out waste classification policies nationwide. The General Office of the State Council forwarded
the Implementation Plan for Household Waste Classification issued by the National
Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Housing and
Urban-Rural Development on March 18, 2017. According to the document, waste
classification would be introduced as a pilot program in 46 cities by establishing
a system of relevant legislations and standards by the end of 2020. The purpose
was to develop models of household waste classification that can be replicated and
promoted elsewhere. The General Office of the State Council released the Work Plan
for Zero-Waste City Pilot Program in December 2018. The 2019 report on the work of
the government also required more efforts for urban household waste classification.
Based on the experience of these pilot projects, the Ministry of Housing and UrbanRural Development and eight other authorities jointly issued a circular in June 2019
to promote urban household waste classification in all cities at or above the prefecture
level. According to the circular, by 2025, all Chinese cities at or above the prefecture
level shall have a complete household waste classification and processing system
in place. The circular marks the start of extensive waste classification in China’s
urban and rural areas. China is currently at a critical stage of building an ecological
civilization, and faces an opportunity for the reform of the system for promoting
ecological progress. The CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core decided
to introduce waste classification policies, with specific goals for stages and a road
map for achieving the goals at the current stage, which is in line with the laws of