The urban management bureau of Changchun, capital of Northeast China’s Jilin province, gave a detailed explanation of the city’s regulations on the sorting and management of household waste on July 22. The regulations were initially released on May 1 this year.

According to national requirements, Changchun’s urban area needs to implement a household waste sorting system before the end of 2020.

Changchun divides household waste into four categories –– recyclable waste, hazardous waste, perishable waste, and other waste.

Recyclable waste refers to uncontaminated waste suitable for recycling, such as glass, milk cartons, paper, plastics, metals, and cola cans.

Hazardous waste refers to waste that is potentially harmful to human health or the environment, such as batteries, electronic products, expired drugs, used lamps, and pesticides.

There are two main types of perishable waste: kitchen waste produced by canteens and restaurants, and kitchen waste produced by residents, such as animal bones and internal organs, leftovers, vegetable roots, peels, and fruit and vegetable waste.

Other waste includes things such as textiles, cigarette butts, dust, contaminated paper (toilet paper, wet wipes), and disposable tableware.

Sorting waste at home is an essential part of the garbage sorting process, said Liu Xiaolong, director of the sanitation department of the Changchun urban management bureau.

People can put sorting bins in dining rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms to assist with sorting, Liu suggested.

Individuals will be fined 100 yuan ($14.53) for illegally dumping waste, while organizations will be fined 1,000 yuan.

Fifty communities and 795 public organizations in Changchun have implemented pilot waste sorting programs, and the city will work to raise people’s awareness of the importance of waste sorting.

In addition, dumping procedures, waste management, and waste transport need to be improved, according to directors.

A sorting label for household waste in Changchun, Jilin province –– (from left to right) recyclable waste, hazardous waste, perishable waste, and other waste [Photo/Xinhua]

Some buses in Changchun, Jilin province are equipped with garbage sorting bins. [Photo/VCG]