China’s tightened ban on the import of 32 different types of solid waste will go into effect from December 31, according to an official document. Released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the General Administration of Customs, the document shows that the newly-added products include hardware, ships, auto parts, waste and scrap of stainless steel, titanium as well as wood.
China’s import of solid waste slumped further in the first 10 months of 2018 as the government stepped up enforcement on a ban of solid waste imports.
The country began importing solid waste as a source of raw materials in the 1980s and for years has been the world’s largest importer, despite a weak capacity in garbage disposal. Some companies illegally bring foreign waste into the country for profit, posing a threat to the environment and public health.
Given rising public awareness and China’s green development drive, the government last year decided to phase out and halt such imports by the end of 2019, except for those containing resources not substitutable.