China to develop recycling industry

The State Development and Reform Commission has decided to promote the recycling industry with a four-pronged solution ranging from energy saving and clean production to integrated use of resources and developing environmental protection industry. Eight measures have been proposed. The purpose is to overcome the bottleneck of resources shortfall and ease down the pressure on environment.

The Commission will work with other departments concerned to issue a guideline to accelerate the development of the recycling economy. The concept of recycling economy will be included in the 11th Five-year Plan. Special planning for energy saving, water saving and the integrated use of resources will be sped up.

The pressing task at present is focused on the formulation of regulations on the use and management of resources, scrap home appliance, electronic wastes, old and used tires, and scrap packaging materials.

A threshold to sectors with heavy consumption of energy and water will be devised. The criteria of efficiency of energy consuming equipment will be improved and water quota for sectors with heavy reliance on water will also be revised. Assessment systems for clean production in major sectors will be in place. In addition, policies will be drafted and mechanism will be proposed to promote the development of the recycling economy.

Pilot projects will be launched by the Commission. Industries to be involved in the projects include metallurgy, non-ferrous metal, coal, power, chemical and construction materials. In terms of fields, the program will give priority to the recycling and reuse of scrap home appliance, electronic products, waste tires, waste paper and waste packaging, as well as the re-production of machinery and electric products, recycled aluminum, and transformation of wastes into resources. Industrial parks and cities either hunger for and rich in resources are also most possible candidates for the projects.

By People's Daily Online