358
J. Chang
to two generations to move from pilot programs to waste classification nationwide.
As a latecomer, China may draw lessons from developed countries in environmental
protection.
So far, an institutional frame is in place in the Party and government system for
building an ecological civilization, the related supervisory and judicial systems are set
up, a pattern for public participation in ecological civilization development is taking
shape, and efforts have been made to promote eco-friendly models of economic and
social development. As a result, China has made remarkable progress towards an
ecological civilization and Chinese people have reached a consensus on the significance of this pursuit. It may, therefore, take far less time for China to change people’s
attitude towards waste classification and establish sound systems for waste classification at various levels. It is expected that by 2035, when China completes the transition,
it will catch up with moderately developed countries in waste classification in terms
of legislation, policies and implementation.
3 Design the Waste Classification System with China’s
National Conditions in Mind While Learning from Other
Countries
A large proportion of Chinese research literature on waste classification is about
the measures and experience of other countries. Waste classification, however, not
only addresses environmental pollution, but also aims to promote progress in society.
Therefore, we must bear in mind China’s national and social conditions when determining how China will proceed, i.e. what institutions, systems and mechanisms, we
will adopt for waste classification. It is not advisable to simply copy what other
countries did and any research findings that suggest us to do so must be treated with
caution. To address China’s own problems, we need to adopt a scientific approach
based on the specific conditions of the places involved, while learning from other
countries.
Considering that China is a socialist country and the staff of public institutions
such as government organs, schools, hospitals show great initiative to respond to
the call of the government, we may start by requiring waste classification in public
institutions. We should also consider the management conditions in different types
of residential areas. For bungalows, villas and hutongs, as each building is occupied
by an individual household, it is easy to spot failure to sort waste and grant rewards or
impose punishments accordingly. It is thus advisable to launch waste classification
requirements first in these residential areas to accumulate experience and influence
before promoting the practice to other areas. As for high-rise apartment buildings, a
high density of residents means that waste bins may have to compete with parking
lots for space. As a result, the sorted waste must be moved away sooner than in
many Western countries. In some German neighborhoods, waste is collected every
few days, but in high-rise buildings in China waste must be collected on a daily
J. Chang
to two generations to move from pilot programs to waste classification nationwide.
As a latecomer, China may draw lessons from developed countries in environmental
protection.
So far, an institutional frame is in place in the Party and government system for
building an ecological civilization, the related supervisory and judicial systems are set
up, a pattern for public participation in ecological civilization development is taking
shape, and efforts have been made to promote eco-friendly models of economic and
social development. As a result, China has made remarkable progress towards an
ecological civilization and Chinese people have reached a consensus on the significance of this pursuit. It may, therefore, take far less time for China to change people’s
attitude towards waste classification and establish sound systems for waste classification at various levels. It is expected that by 2035, when China completes the transition,
it will catch up with moderately developed countries in waste classification in terms
of legislation, policies and implementation.
3 Design the Waste Classification System with China’s
National Conditions in Mind While Learning from Other
Countries
A large proportion of Chinese research literature on waste classification is about
the measures and experience of other countries. Waste classification, however, not
only addresses environmental pollution, but also aims to promote progress in society.
Therefore, we must bear in mind China’s national and social conditions when determining how China will proceed, i.e. what institutions, systems and mechanisms, we
will adopt for waste classification. It is not advisable to simply copy what other
countries did and any research findings that suggest us to do so must be treated with
caution. To address China’s own problems, we need to adopt a scientific approach
based on the specific conditions of the places involved, while learning from other
countries.
Considering that China is a socialist country and the staff of public institutions
such as government organs, schools, hospitals show great initiative to respond to
the call of the government, we may start by requiring waste classification in public
institutions. We should also consider the management conditions in different types
of residential areas. For bungalows, villas and hutongs, as each building is occupied
by an individual household, it is easy to spot failure to sort waste and grant rewards or
impose punishments accordingly. It is thus advisable to launch waste classification
requirements first in these residential areas to accumulate experience and influence
before promoting the practice to other areas. As for high-rise apartment buildings, a
high density of residents means that waste bins may have to compete with parking
lots for space. As a result, the sorted waste must be moved away sooner than in
many Western countries. In some German neighborhoods, waste is collected every
few days, but in high-rise buildings in China waste must be collected on a daily