Garbage sorting starts now

All residential complexes, work units and public venues must begin sorting their garbage this year.

Rules on treatment fees for waste produced by enterprises, items which hotels are banned from providing and operational standards for "no sort, no collection" will be released in May.

Nearly 10,000 standard garbage stations in residential complexes have been upgraded to make sorting easier, greenery authorities announced on Thursday, with another 7,000 to be improved by the end of the year, along with about 40,000 standardized trash cans on the streets.

Individuals who refuse to sort out garbage could face a fine of up to 200 yuan (US$30), with companies and other organizations liable to pay up to 50,000 yuan, based on domestic garbage regulations that will take effect in July.

The city is handling 4,300 tons of wet garbage daily at present. The target is 7,000 tons by the end of 2020. Most dry garbage, about 13,300 tons daily, is incinerated.

Manufacturers should produce less waste, and standards for packaging in the parcel delivery industry are being worked out.

Wet markets should have on-the-spot wet garbage treatment facilities, and residents are encouraged to use fewer disposable products.

The number of vehicles used to transport wet garbage will be increased to 920 by the end of this year from the current 700. Each district will have one vehicle exclusively to transport hazardous waste.

Enterprises that frequently fail to sort their trash will be refused collection and transportation and will be punished. Property management companies face a similar regime. Garbage transportation companies will face sanctions for mixing previously classified trash.