Shanghai became the first city to enforce its strictest-ever garbage regulation on July 1. According to the regulation, residents are required to separate dry refuse, wet trash, recyclable waste and hazardous waste. Individuals who fail to sort garbage face fines of up to 200 yuan (about $29). Enterprises can be fined up to 5,000 yuan for failure to sort waste. China Daily readers share their opinions.
Robert (US)
I totally agree! China is heading in the right direction, and all the Chinese cities should follow this strictest standard! I hope to see a cleaner, better and a healthier China.
Students at a primary school in Beijing take part in a garbage sorting promotion activity on March 4, 2018. [Photo/IC]
Kinam (China)
Trash sorting should absolutely be emphasized but we have to make people aware of how to classify different kinds of trash. We should act now to make a better environment.
Local residents use QR code cards to open different bins for their garbage at a waste collection point in Shanghai, June 19, 2019. [Photo/IC]
fatdragon (UK)
In the UK they force householders to sort the waste and administer heavy fines for getting it wrong. Needless to say, having acquired tons of waste that has been sorted for recycling, the material often just sits in a field because there is no market for it.
Garbage classification inspector of Chongqing Environment & Sanitation Group Lu Xing (L) provides consultation service of garbage classification to a resident at a community in Jiulongpo district in Chongqing, Southwest China, June 27, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]
bushier (Malaysia)
All that is needed is money invested in semi-auto sorting machines inside a factory and guaranteed, these garbage problems are solved. Some workers are still needed when machines are unable to sort correctly. New York has a garbage factory like this.
Kindergarten students learn to sort waste into four categories in a game in Rugao, Jiangsu province, earlier in June. XU HUI/FOR CHINA DAILY
mixamixa (Finland)
In Finland all apartment buildings with more than five apartments must recycle paper, cardboard, glass, metal and bio waste. Failing to do so will give your apartment company a big fine.
In Finland all soft drinks, wine bottles, beer bottles and strong alcohol bottles have a deposit. For example, a 1.5 liter Coca-Cola bottle has 0.4 euro deposit in the price when you buy it. You get the money back if you return the bottle to the store.
A staff member illustrates how to use the garbage sorting facility in Beijing, June 6, 2019.
ck47 (China)
I doubt it will achieve expected results, but things will improve for sure. Some people will start to put garbage in different bins and realize the importance of classifying garbage, but some will not do it as they are told, because it's such a hassle. I am all for it though. It's a good cause and with our efforts we will make it a nice planet for our kids.
