Advice on the Reform to Advance Waste Classification in China
357
environmental protection and economic and social development in China. Developed
countries have completed industrial transition at a similar stage. In view of the above,
we may come to the conclusion that China has been promoting waste classification
in a scientific, timely and rational manner, from pilot programs in chosen cities to
nationwide efforts.
2 China Should Advance Waste Classification Step by Step
China has made remarkable progress in policymaking and legislation for waste classification. Developed rural areas and city suburbs (e.g. Jindong district of Jinhua city,
Zhejiang province, and Ningxiang city of Hunan province) have established complete
waste classification facilities, a sound waste collection and management evaluation
system, a system for waste classification evaluation and the corresponding reward
and punishment measures, a system for waste transportation and disposal based on
classification, and a system for relevant fundraising and economic incentives within
a few years. The living environment and people’s habits in rural areas were greatly
improved. In terms of legislation, large and medium-size cities, including Shanghai,
Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing and Ningbo all introduced local waste classification
regulations, imposing punishments for violations, or made plans to amend existing
local legislation on household waste management. For example, Guangzhou Household Waste Classification and Management Regulations was adopted on December
27, 2017 at the 11th meeting of the 15th Standing Committee of Guangzhou Municipal People’s Congress, and Shanghai Household Waste Management Regulations
was adopted on January 31, 2019 at the 2nd meeting of the 15th Shanghai Municipal
People’s Congress. Both regulations contain detailed provisions on the scope of application, responsible entities, classification measures, duties of authorities, measures
for waste reduction at the source, hazard-free disposal, recycling, and rewards and
punishments. Beijing will amend its household waste management regulations to
warn or fine those who fail to sort out waste, and impose severe punishments and
heavy fines on those who mix up waste that has been classified in transportation. In
the new era of building a socialist ecological civilization, legislation helps consolidate the achievements of pilot programs, and regulations promotes further changes
towards a green lifestyle. All these efforts have promoted waste classification in
urban and rural areas, which will significantly advance China’s efforts to improve
the environment.
While we acknowledge our remarkable achievements, we must keep in mind that
waste classification must be advanced step by step, not in excessive haste. It might
be easy to build waste classification facilities, but it takes time to change people’s
mentality and lifestyle. While we are determined to press ahead with waste classification, we must also be patient. In advancing waste classification, we need to adopt
a step-by-step approach to seek progress while maintaining existing achievements,
and must refrain from formality for formality’s sake which would waste both human
and financial resources. Experience of other countries show that it takes at least one
357
environmental protection and economic and social development in China. Developed
countries have completed industrial transition at a similar stage. In view of the above,
we may come to the conclusion that China has been promoting waste classification
in a scientific, timely and rational manner, from pilot programs in chosen cities to
nationwide efforts.
2 China Should Advance Waste Classification Step by Step
China has made remarkable progress in policymaking and legislation for waste classification. Developed rural areas and city suburbs (e.g. Jindong district of Jinhua city,
Zhejiang province, and Ningxiang city of Hunan province) have established complete
waste classification facilities, a sound waste collection and management evaluation
system, a system for waste classification evaluation and the corresponding reward
and punishment measures, a system for waste transportation and disposal based on
classification, and a system for relevant fundraising and economic incentives within
a few years. The living environment and people’s habits in rural areas were greatly
improved. In terms of legislation, large and medium-size cities, including Shanghai,
Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing and Ningbo all introduced local waste classification
regulations, imposing punishments for violations, or made plans to amend existing
local legislation on household waste management. For example, Guangzhou Household Waste Classification and Management Regulations was adopted on December
27, 2017 at the 11th meeting of the 15th Standing Committee of Guangzhou Municipal People’s Congress, and Shanghai Household Waste Management Regulations
was adopted on January 31, 2019 at the 2nd meeting of the 15th Shanghai Municipal
People’s Congress. Both regulations contain detailed provisions on the scope of application, responsible entities, classification measures, duties of authorities, measures
for waste reduction at the source, hazard-free disposal, recycling, and rewards and
punishments. Beijing will amend its household waste management regulations to
warn or fine those who fail to sort out waste, and impose severe punishments and
heavy fines on those who mix up waste that has been classified in transportation. In
the new era of building a socialist ecological civilization, legislation helps consolidate the achievements of pilot programs, and regulations promotes further changes
towards a green lifestyle. All these efforts have promoted waste classification in
urban and rural areas, which will significantly advance China’s efforts to improve
the environment.
While we acknowledge our remarkable achievements, we must keep in mind that
waste classification must be advanced step by step, not in excessive haste. It might
be easy to build waste classification facilities, but it takes time to change people’s
mentality and lifestyle. While we are determined to press ahead with waste classification, we must also be patient. In advancing waste classification, we need to adopt
a step-by-step approach to seek progress while maintaining existing achievements,
and must refrain from formality for formality’s sake which would waste both human
and financial resources. Experience of other countries show that it takes at least one