中国垃圾不够烧了

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant transformation in China's waste incineration industry, shifting from a "garbage siege" to a situation where there is insufficient waste to incinerate, reflecting a historical turning point in economic development and lifestyle changes in China [3][4]. Phase Summaries Phase 1: Overdevelopment and Mismatch - The origins of China's waste incineration industry date back to the late 1980s, with the establishment of the first modern waste incineration power plant in Shenzhen in 1985, which was costly and faced technological challenges [5][6]. - The waste composition in China was not suitable for incineration, leading to low energy generation and high operational costs, resulting in minimal commercial viability [6]. Phase 2: Problem Solving and Preparation - The real growth of the waste incineration industry began around the turn of the century, driven by rapid economic growth and an increase in waste generation, leading to the emergence of "garbage siege" phenomena [7][8]. - Policy support, technological advancements, and innovative business models began to emerge, with significant developments such as the inclusion of waste incineration equipment in the encouraged development catalog in 2000 and subsidies for waste-to-energy projects [8][9]. Phase 3: Golden Decade - The year 2012 marked a milestone for the industry, with the introduction of substantial policy support that increased subsidies for waste incineration, enhancing its commercial viability [11][12]. - By 2016, the annual power generation from waste incineration reached approximately 29.3 billion kWh, with an efficiency of 279 kWh/ton, nearly doubling previous figures [12][15]. - The number of operational waste incineration plants surged from 167 in 2012 to 840 by 2021, with installed capacity increasing significantly [16]. Phase 4: Insufficient Waste - Post-2021, some regions began experiencing a "not enough waste to burn" phenomenon, with average utilization rates around 60% and some facilities operating at even lower capacities [17][18]. - Factors contributing to this issue include overcapacity from previous years, improvements in waste sorting, and regional imbalances in waste management capabilities [18][19]. - The article highlights the need for regional collaboration and policy improvements to address the mismatch between waste generation and incineration capacity, suggesting that cross-regional waste management could optimize resource allocation [20][21].