Details of the Ordinance on Waste Pollution Prevention in Guangdong Province, China - March 2004

Details of the Ordinance on Waste Pollution Prevention in Guangdong Province, China - March 2004

In 2004, Guangdong Province, one of China's most economically developed provinces, introduced the Waste Pollution Prevention Ordinance in order to prevent serious environmental pollution caused by waste. The ordinance specifically regulates the handling of e-waste and hazardous waste, and has tightened waste management throughout the province. Specifically, stricter recycling and disposal standards have been implemented in response to the increasing amount of waste generated in urban areas such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

The ordinance prohibits the importation of certain hazardous wastes, particularly with regard to electronic waste (e-waste), which includes components containing high levels of lead and cadmium. These materials, if not properly disposed of, can contaminate soil and groundwater. According to the waste management department of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen generates about 700,000 tons of e-waste annually, making it a challenge to improve recycling rates.

With the implementation of the ordinance, domestic and foreign companies are also stepping up measures to address activities in this area. For example, Foxconn, a world-renowned manufacturer and recycler of electronic equipment, has established a recycling facility in Guangdong Province that processes 100,000 tons of e-waste annually. SUEZ, a French waste management giant, has also partnered with Guangdong Province to introduce waste treatment technology in Shenzhen and Guangzhou. This has resulted in proper recycling of e-waste and plastic waste and reduced environmental impact in the province.

In particular, Shenzhen's e-waste recycling plant recovers 50,000 tons of hazardous materials annually, preventing the release of lead and cadmium into the air and water. In addition, the recycling rate of domestic waste in Guangzhou has increased from 25% to 35% since the implementation of the ordinance, showing a marked improvement in the environment. These achievements have made Guangdong a model region for waste management in China as a whole, and are influencing waste management in other regions and internationally.