China issues waste management reform plan after 'foreign garbage' ban

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A management reform (MR) governing imports of waste from other countries has been announced by China's General Office of the State Council after it was announced that China was banning the import of 24 types of solid waste.

According to the reform, the Chinese government will strengthen control over illegal foreign waste imports, crack down on foreign waste smuggling, block importing channels and follow rules to return and destroy waste if smuggling acts were uncovered.

Foreign tourists (L) walk past a front loader as it removes debris from a dirty Kuta beach near Denpasar on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on February 5, 2016. /AFP Photo

In terms of improving the regulatory system for blocking foreign imports, wastes that pose environmental hazards or cause a strong public reaction will also be prohibited.

Before 2018, the ban on the import of raw materials from plastic waste, unclassified paper and textile waste, vanadium slag and other varieties will be put into use.

The reduction will be applied step-by-step on the type and quantity of solid waste imports and a raised doorsill will be exerted on the imports of solid waste.

Laws, regulations and related systems will also be improved accompanied by the transition of policy.

As requested by the Chinese government, strengthened controls will be imposed on illegal import wastes.

First, a continuous crackdown will be applied on foreign waste smuggling. Illegal wastes including hazardous waste, medical waste, electronic waste will be seriously handled.

Removing debris from a dirty Kuta beach near Denpasar on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on February 5, 2016. /AFP Photo

Second, increased supervision is needed on the whole process of imports from examination to reduction of approval of solid waste imports and control of total amount of import wastes.

Third, the solid waste distribution will be subject to all-sided regulated. The national typical plastic wastes, clothing waste and electronic waste and other waste will be stored and disposed to collecting and distributing centers.

The MR also pointed out that a long-term mechanism needs to be established for blocking the entry of foreign wastes.

Major enterprises need to take responsibility for supervision, investigation and punishment of smuggling of foreign waste, illegal imports of solid waste, reselling and illegal processing of solid waste and other illicit acts.

International cooperation is also marked in the MR. The cooperation is promoted between China and Vietnam and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to establish an international anti-smuggling mechanism.