China imported less solid waste in Q1

Date: 09:30, 20-06-2018.

Beijing. June 20. Silkroadnews - The import of solid household waste in China significantly decreased in the first quarter of the year, as the government steps up enforcement of a ban on solid waste imports, China Plus reports.
According to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the volume of solid waste imports in the first three months decreased by 57%, and in restricted categories - by 64%. The figures increased from 9.2% and 12% last year, respectively.
The ministry said, the move is aimed to strengthen control over import licenses and violations of environmental laws at waste processing plants.
China began to import solid waste as a source of raw materials in the 1980s and has been the world’s largest importer for many years. Some companies illegally import foreign garbage into the country, which poses a threat to the environment and public health.
Given the growing public awareness and the desire for environmentally sustainable development, last year the government decided to phase out and completely stop such imports by the end of 2019, except for those containing resources that are not substitutable.
Last month, the Chinese customs authorities seized 137,000 tons of illegal garbage imports as a part of the largest campaign against garbage smuggling in recent years.
Minister of Ecology and Ecology Li Ganjie said that the ban on the import of garbage is an important step for improving the environment, ensuring national environmental security and green development strategy.

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