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].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the transformation of waste management in China, highlighting the shift from a "garbage siege" to a situation where waste incineration plants are struggling to find enough waste to process, leading to a competitive environment for waste collection and management [3][10][20]. Group 1: Current State of Waste Incineration - Waste incineration plants in China are facing a shortage of waste, with an average operational load of about 60%, leaving 40% of capacity idle [7][11]. - In 2023, there were 83,467 planned shutdowns of waste incineration plants, indicating significant operational challenges [8]. - The number of waste incineration plants in China has reached approximately 1,010, accounting for nearly half of the global total [11][14]. Group 2: Historical Context and Development - The shift towards waste incineration began in 2003 when the government opened the sector to private investment and promoted the BOT model for waste-to-energy projects [14][15]. - From 2017 to 2021, China added an average of 103 new waste incineration plants annually, with significant projects launched in provinces like Henan and Hebei [15][17]. - By 2023, China's waste treatment capacity reached 1,035,000 tons per day, exceeding the targets set for the 14th Five-Year Plan [17][24]. Group 3: Industry Dynamics and Future Opportunities - The oversupply of incineration capacity has led to a decline in the number of landfills, as incineration becomes the preferred method of waste management [19][20]. - With domestic waste production insufficient to meet the needs of incineration plants, companies are exploring international markets, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East [22][24]. - Chinese waste incineration companies are leveraging advanced technologies and complete industrial chains to enhance their competitiveness globally [23][24].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the transformation of waste management in China, highlighting the shift from a "garbage siege" to a situation where waste incineration plants are struggling to find enough garbage to process, leading to a competitive environment for waste collection and management [3][11][21]. Group 1: Current State of Waste Incineration - Waste incineration plants in China are facing a shortage of garbage, with an average operational load rate of about 60%, leaving 40% of capacity idle [6][12]. - In 2023, there were 83,467 planned shutdown days for waste incineration plants, indicating significant operational challenges [10]. - The rapid increase in the number of incineration plants has led to a situation where the supply of waste is insufficient to meet the processing capacity [21][12]. Group 2: Historical Context and Development - The turning point for waste incineration in China occurred in 2003 when the government shifted to a model allowing private investment in waste management [13]. - Policies promoting waste incineration, such as increased subsidies for renewable energy projects and pollution control standards, have facilitated the growth of this industry [14][16]. - From 2017 to 2021, an average of 103 new waste incineration plants were commissioned annually, with significant projects launched in provinces like Henan and Hebei [17][18]. Group 3: Industry Dynamics and Competition - The competition for waste has intensified, with some incineration plants offering incentives to property companies for waste collection [4]. - Companies are exploring new markets abroad due to domestic waste shortages, with over 50 overseas waste incineration projects already in operation [24][25]. - The article notes that the increasing number of incineration plants has led to a decline in the number of landfills, as incineration becomes the preferred method of waste management [19]. Group 4: Technological Advancements and Global Positioning - Chinese waste incineration companies are leveraging advanced technologies to improve waste processing efficiency and reduce emissions, often exceeding international standards [25][26]. - The industry has evolved from relying on imported waste to becoming a leader in waste management technology, with the ability to export expertise and solutions globally [26].