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Home » Metro » Environment
Wet and dry trash separation trial gets under way
By Cai Wenjun |
May 16, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ONE hundred local communities yesterday began a trial program separating dry and wet waste into color-coded trash bags and bins.
The program, which aims to reduce the amount of garbage the city produces, will be extended to 1,009 communities by the end of the year and all communities with property management by 2015, according to the city government.
Officials say dividing dry and wet waste is vital for trash sorting as 60 percent of local household garbage is fruit and vegetable peelings and other kitchen waste.
Wet garbage can leak during transportation and slows trash burning.
Shanghai plans to reduce the amount of rubbish that needs to be processed by 5 percent annually from this year and realize at least a 20 percent reduction by 2015 and a 50 percent decrease by 2020.
Dry and wet trash sorting is an essential step for the city to achieve these goals, officials said.
To ensure the trial runs smoothly, the government is distributing leaflets and recruiting volunteers in participating communities to promote and explain trash sorting.
Brown bags are designated for wet trash and black ones for dry trash. Each community will have brown and black trash bins for the appropriate bags.
Officials said trash sorting is still a voluntary practice, as the government doesn't have punishments for households that fail to do so.
The city is discussing a charging scheme for household trash under a national plan issued by the State Council to reduce the quantity of domestic trash and promote environmentally friendly processing. Plans are to be presented by August.
The program, which aims to reduce the amount of garbage the city produces, will be extended to 1,009 communities by the end of the year and all communities with property management by 2015, according to the city government.
Officials say dividing dry and wet waste is vital for trash sorting as 60 percent of local household garbage is fruit and vegetable peelings and other kitchen waste.
Wet garbage can leak during transportation and slows trash burning.
Shanghai plans to reduce the amount of rubbish that needs to be processed by 5 percent annually from this year and realize at least a 20 percent reduction by 2015 and a 50 percent decrease by 2020.
Dry and wet trash sorting is an essential step for the city to achieve these goals, officials said.
To ensure the trial runs smoothly, the government is distributing leaflets and recruiting volunteers in participating communities to promote and explain trash sorting.
Brown bags are designated for wet trash and black ones for dry trash. Each community will have brown and black trash bins for the appropriate bags.
Officials said trash sorting is still a voluntary practice, as the government doesn't have punishments for households that fail to do so.
The city is discussing a charging scheme for household trash under a national plan issued by the State Council to reduce the quantity of domestic trash and promote environmentally friendly processing. Plans are to be presented by August.
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