By the end of 2020, garbage sorting will be mandatory in over 40 cities. However, problems in collection, transportation and other processes have emerged, which require improved governance to serve the public better and ensure the policy is effective.
The staff working in communities should refine their plans and methods according to residents' feedback. For instance, how to take care of office workers' garbage disposal needs as collection of trash is allowed only at fixed times and places. Some communities have made progress by introducing robots to do the sorting.
The staff also needs to promote awareness of garbage sorting and help people get used to this new rule.
Problems in transportation and disposal have also hampered garbage disposal. Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission released a plan to strengthen garbage sorting and treatment facilities in urban areas. It has asked cities to build a mechanism including collection, transportation and treatment according to different categories of trash before 2030 to improve the garbage disposal chain.
(Print Edition Title: Refining Garbage Disposal)
This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in People's Daily on August 31
