China’s solid waste imports down as ban takes effect

China’s imports of solid waste dropped significantly in the first quarter of this year as the government steps up enforcement of a ban on imported rubbish.

There was a 57-percent yearon-year decline in the amount of solid waste imports in the first three months, and 64 percent for restricted categories, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. The figures increased from 9.2 percent and 12 percent last year, respectively.

The ministry said it will step up scrutiny over import licenses and crack down on violations of environmental protection laws by waste processing factories, striving to maintain the downturn in waste imports.

China began importing solid waste as a source of raw materials in the 1980s, and has for years been the world’s largest importer, despite its weak capacity in garbage disposal. Some companies illegally bring foreign garbage into the country for profit, posing a threat to the environment.

China decided in 2017 to phase out and completely halt such imports by the end of 2019, except for those containing resources that are not substitutable. The country’s customs authority seized 137,000 tons of illegal trash imports last month in what it called the largest campaign against trash smuggling in recent years.

Li Ganjie, Minister of Ecology and Environment, said the ban on foreign rubbish is a major step to improve the environment and follow the green development strategy.