Core Insights - The article discusses the transformation of waste management in China, highlighting how previously viewed waste materials like garbage and waste cooking oil have become valuable resources in the context of green economic transition [2][11][19] Waste Management Evolution - In the past two decades, China's urban waste generation has significantly increased, with municipal solid waste rising from 155 million tons in 2000 to an estimated 262 million tons by 2024, a nearly 70% increase despite only an 11.13% population growth [5][18] - The production of plastic waste has also surged, with plastic waste reaching 63 million tons in 2022, reflecting the rapid growth in plastic product manufacturing [4][5] Cooking Oil Waste Transformation - The issue of waste cooking oil, or "地沟油," has evolved from a public health concern to a valuable resource for biofuel production, with an estimated annual production of 10 million tons in China, of which 5 million tons remain unaccounted for [10][14] - The global trend towards sustainable aviation fuel has created a new market for waste cooking oil, with the European Parliament mandating that sustainable aviation fuel must account for 2% of total fuel by 2025, increasing to 20% by 2035 and 70% by 2050 [13][14] Technological and Policy Advancements - The shift from landfill to incineration for waste management has been supported by government policies, with incineration capacity increasing from 2.38 million tons per day in 2016 to 11.66 million tons per day by 2024, surpassing the total waste generation [15][18] - The number of wastewater treatment plants has also expanded significantly, with nearly 5,000 plants established, achieving a treatment capacity of over 250 million cubic meters per day, which is sufficient to handle the country's wastewater [17] Challenges and Future Outlook - Despite advancements, there are concerns about overcapacity in waste incineration and the potential for resource wastage, as seen in cases where treatment capacity exceeds actual waste generation [18] - The economic viability of converting waste cooking oil into biofuels remains uncertain, as the production cost is approximately three times that of conventional aviation fuel, raising concerns about sustainability without ongoing subsidies [19]
中国对废物下了狠手
3 6 Ke·2025-06-18 06:03