DEVELOPMENT AND EVOLUTION OF CHINA’S DOMESTIC WASTE CLASSIFICATION POLICY SYSTEM

This paper systematically investigated the evolution process, stage characteristics and achievement of China’s garbage sorting policy, which was an important basis for rational formulation and effective implementation of garbage classification policy and helpful to the establishment and implementation of garbage classification system and garbage classification system in the new era. It systematically analyzed the historical changes and development of garbage sorting policy since the founding of P.R. China. Overall, the development of China’s waste sorting policies experienced five stages: 1)namely the stage of classified collection enlightenment based on garbage recycling (1957—1991); 2)initial stage of enactment of laws and regulations on the classification of domestic waste (1992—1999); 3)classification criteria development stage based on garbage classification practices (2000—2015); 4)preparation stage of municipal solid waste classification system (2015—2016); 5)establishment and implementation of municipal solid waste classification system (since 2017). The results showed that China had basically formed a relatively complete waste sorting policy system in line with its present national conditions. The implementation of the garbage classification system could significantly improve the living environment, save resources and improve the level of social civilization, which was of great significance to promote green development and build a beautiful China.