China unveils solid waste pollution control plan for 2026-2030

BEIJING -- Six Chinese government departments, including the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the National Development and Reform Commission, have jointly issued a plan to strengthen solid waste pollution prevention and control during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30).

By 2030, China aims to achieve notable progress in the treatment of solid waste pollution in key areas, effectively control accumulated waste from previous years, curb widespread illegal dumping and disposal of solid waste, and significantly improve its comprehensive solid waste management capacity, according to the plan.

The country also aims to establish an integrated digital supervision network covering key areas and build a number of "zero-waste cities" by 2030.

The plan calls for coordinated efforts to tackle pressing problems and strengthen systematic governance, with a focus on identifying and addressing environmental risks and enhancing oversight across the entire solid waste management chain.

It outlines targeted treatment measures for illegal solid waste dumping, waste dumped in karst caves, phosphogypsum storage sites, municipal solid waste landfills and hazardous waste landfills.

The plan, additionally, sets requirements for managing industrial and hazardous waste, discarded electrical and electronic products, retired new-energy equipment, and solid waste generated by households and construction and agricultural activities.