21:19, 28-Mar-2019
Tackling Pollution: China plans 'Zero-waste city' pilot program
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21:10, 31-Mar-2019
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Bold steps in tackling environmental pollution. China is trying to catch up with other countries, in piloting a zero-waste-city program, promising to achieve visible progress by next year. Zheng Yibing has more.
A simple act. But behind it, solid waste piles up like mountains. In China, about ten billion tons of solid waste are generated each year by people and industry. Such an inconvenient truth poses a national burden, yet at the same time raises awareness.
QIU QIWEN CHINA'S MINISTRY OF ECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT "To tackle these, a work plan for the 'Zero-waste city' pilot program was passed last December and is drawing wide attention."
Within a short time, some 60 candidate cities have applied for the program. From that number, ten will be selected to do experiments and set examples. The idea is based upon a recent international practice in minimizing the sources of solid waste as well as the burden of landfills. It sets its standards as "Reduce", "Recycle" and "Reuse".
QIU QIWEN CHINA'S MINISTRY OF ECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT "As of now, we have started a mechanism for experts from 18 different organizations across China to discuss ways for doing this, as well as making implementation plans and the index system for building it."
The ten pilot cities will be selected in June, and the ministry says by next year, the program will nail down a format, to promote such a developing mode in cities and towns across China.
Experts say that many countries are now trying similar methods, like in the United States where New York City plans to reduce landfills 90 percent by 2030.
Chinese officials plan to take good lessons from others to set their own plans.
ZHENG YIBING BEIJING "Next, the ministry says it will help revise relevant laws and regulations, and launch special operations, not only for the 'zero-waste city' pilot program, but also on a larger scale. All of these plans are for a cleaner and better living environment. Zheng Yibing, CGTN, Beijing."