China Moves Closer to Zero Import of Solid Waste

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress recently passed the amended Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste in a bid to protect and improve the ecological environment. The amended legislation, which takes effect on 1 September 2020, covers the following points:

• Strengthening the supervision and management responsibilities of the government and the departments concerned: Systems of target-specific responsibility, credit record, joint prevention and control, full-process monitoring and information technology-based traceability are clearly put forward and it is clearly stated that China will gradually realise zero import of solid waste

• Improving the system of the prevention and control of environmental pollution by industrial solid waste: Systems of producer responsibility and requiring permits for increased pollutant discharge will be strengthened

• Improving the system of the prevention and control of environmental pollution by domestic waste: Domestic waste sorting system will be promoted and waste sorting principles established

Source: National People’s Congress