In a significant move reinforcing environmental protection efforts, customs officials in the Chinese mainland's Tianjin Municipality recently seized 20.47 tonnes of illegal imported solid waste. The container, falsely declared as \"empty,\" was found to contain scraps generated during the production of latex products.
China has a long history of importing solid waste, beginning in the 1980s as a source of raw materials. For many years, it remained the world's largest importer of such waste despite facing challenges due to limited garbage disposal capacity. The influx of foreign waste not only posed severe environmental threats but also jeopardized public health.
Responding to these challenges, the Chinese mainland implemented a comprehensive ban on all solid waste imports starting January 1, 2021. This decisive action was driven by growing public awareness of environmental issues and the need for stricter customs supervision. As a result, the volume of solid waste imports has decreased significantly, although illegal activities persist.
The recent seizure in Tianjin underscores ongoing efforts to clamp down on unauthorized waste imports. Authorities are conducting further investigations to uncover the networks behind these illegal activities, aiming to safeguard the environment and promote sustainable waste management practices.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
