China is to ban importing 24 kinds of solid waste from overseas because of the damage it creates to the environment and people’s health, according to a government official.
China previously allowed the imports because the rubbish was recycled, creating extra supplies of metals and materials in short supply for use in the domestic market, but officials say the problems created far outweigh the benefits.
The ban on the foreign waste was announced a press briefing on Thursday by Guo Jian, an official in charge of international cooperation at the environmental protection ministry.
“The problem of foreign garbage is loathed by everyone in China,” Guo said.
China has told the World Trade Organisation it will ban waste imports including plastics, scrap paper and discarded textiles starting at the end of this year, according to environment ministry.
China imported more than 46 million tonnes of waste in 2015 which was recycled into products including paper, plastics, aluminium and copper, a ministry report said last year.
