Wen Zongguo

As early as 2000, China launched eight pilot cities for garbage sorting and collection, including Beijing and Shanghai, and promoted it in China. Today, walking on the streets, although garbage bins marked with "recyclable" and "non-recyclable" signs can be seen everywhere, the effectiveness of garbage sorting and collection needs to be improved.

There are three reasons. The accuracy of garbage sorting is low, and there is a lack of connection between the collection, transportation and disposal links; the garbage sorting laws and regulations are not sound, and the main responsibility of the participants is seriously absent; low-value waste materials have increased sharply, and the recycling network and sanitation system lack coordination. Obviously, garbage sorting is a reform of the traditional way of garbage collection and disposal, not just from the link from private garbage bins to public garbage bins. Without systematic planning, construction and integrated operation, the road to garbage sorting will be very long. To this end, we can start from five aspects.

Put garbage sorting on the track of legalization. Garbage sorting is inseparable from laws and regulations, operational policies and a sound supervision system. Relevant departments must work hard on top-level design, policy formulation, macro-control, incentive mechanisms and civic education to form a garbage classification system based on the rule of law, government promotion, participation of all people, urban and rural coordination, and adapted to local conditions, and establish a garbage classification system with the government as the leader, enterprises as the main body, and participation of all people. The key at present is to establish a management mechanism that is linked to the vital interests of participants in garbage classification, such as a garbage disposal fee system and a reward and punishment system, determine the responsibilities and obligations of all parties in the entire process of garbage placement, collection, transfer, transportation, and treatment, and establish and improve a series of effective incentives and reward and punishment mechanisms such as financial subsidies, economic rewards, technical support, and supervision and evaluation. For example, as a source of pollution, every resident has the responsibility to control pollution and should participate in garbage reduction, classification and payment.

Garbage classification should be simplified. The convenience of classified recycling facilities is not only a key factor affecting residents' garbage disposal behavior, but also an important link in determining the overall effect of classified recycling. It is recommended to formulate simple and easy-to-remember classification standards in accordance with the principles of adapting to local conditions and rough classification of major categories. According to the characteristics of China's garbage with high moisture content (mainly kitchen waste) and high biodegradable organic matter content, it is recommended to take the lead in promoting the "dry and wet classification" method that is more in line with the people's cognitive level, that is, to classify waste materials such as waste plastics, waste paper, and waste clothes into one category, to classify wet garbage mainly composed of kitchen waste into one category, and to classify other dry garbage into one category. After the dry and wet separation, the dry garbage is further concentrated and subdivided during transportation, and the wet garbage is cleared daily. It is expected that the amount of garbage can be reduced by nearly half, thereby reducing the load of garbage transportation and terminal treatment and disposal.

Garbage classification facilities must be included in the overall urban planning. Facility construction should be included in the overall urban planning and community construction according to the functions of "classified delivery, classified collection, classified transportation, and classified treatment". In terms of classified delivery facilities, it is necessary to solve the problems of inadequate classification and insufficient equipment of garbage classification storage facilities, and improve the convenience of residents' garbage delivery. It is mandatory for sanitation departments to configure special vehicles for garbage classification collection and transportation to solve the problem of secondary mixing of classified garbage. Strengthen the construction of supporting facilities for terminal garbage treatment, and prohibit "mixed packaging" and centralized landfill, incineration and other treatment methods after garbage classification. Accelerate the deep integration of the domestic waste collection and transportation network and the waste material recycling network--the classification of recyclables should be connected with the recycling of renewable resources; the classification and collection of hazardous waste should be connected with the treatment of hazardous waste; the classification and collection of perishable waste or kitchen waste should be connected with the utilization of biomass resources. Create a park-based urban solid waste treatment and disposal base to realize the classification of classified garbage into different treatment facilities for classification and treatment, and prevent "secondary pollution" caused by the extracorporeal circulation of garbage.

Give full play to the synergy of all participating entities. The garbage classification management in developed countries is also a gradual process. It has gone through the initial passive and top-down management system of the government, and gradually transformed into a collaborative governance system with all citizens, social groups, non-governmental organizations, professional enterprises and other social entities, and coordinated the merger of the two management functions of the Ministry of Commerce and the sanitation department in the recycling of waste materials and the collection and transportation of garbage. Social capital and professional enterprises should be encouraged to participate in all aspects of garbage disposal. Waste recycling is market-driven, and garbage disposal is government-driven. We must change our mindset and recognize that waste recycling is garbage classification, and it is also a basic public welfare undertaking related to people's livelihood. Like garbage disposal, the government should provide appropriate financial subsidies and tax incentives. It is suggested that the government purchase garbage sorting services and then allocate corresponding garbage reduction subsidies.

Increase the intensity, strength and frequency of publicity and education. In order to refine the classification knowledge education, high-intensity and high-frequency publicity will be held in the community, and a garbage sorting guidance volunteer team will be formed to serve as household garbage propaganda instructors, supervisors in front of the bins, and garbage sorting supervisors. They will take on the responsibilities of environmental protection publicity and education, daily guidance and training, and guide citizens to actively participate in garbage sorting activities. Garbage sorting should become part of the labor curriculum of primary and secondary schools, and the effect of garbage sorting should be used as a standard for evaluating students' social public life ability, leading modern public life in a socialized way.

In fact, garbage can also be a "treasure" if used well. Garbage sorting is generally regarded as one of the most effective ways to solve the dilemma of urban and rural garbage siege internationally. It is also regarded as a reflection of national quality and a symbol and measure of modern civilization. At present, the basic conditions for the universal implementation of the garbage sorting system in China have been met. However, garbage classification is not something that can be achieved overnight in any country. We must be prepared for a protracted war and take scientific, systematic and comprehensive measures, focusing on breaking through the classification link from private garbage cans to public garbage bins, and thoroughly solving the system operation difficulties in the entire process of classification, collection, transportation and treatment. (The author is the director of the Circular Economy Industry Research Center of Tsinghua University)