China has tightened control on imported solid waste, often referred to as "foreign garbage". The country issued a plan for banning foreign garbage last July. According to the plan, 24 types of solid waste are banned, including plastic waste, unsorted paper waste, crude textile waste and slag waste. Imported garbage played a part in making up for a domestic shortage of resources in the past. But, as the economy and society have developed, the drawbacks of this practice have emerged, including environmental pollution and health threats. By the end of 2019, China will phase out imports of solid waste that can be replaced by domestic resources.