China Solid Waste and Recycling Market

China announced it will reach peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, presenting opportunities for U.S. environmental companies with expertise in comprehensive use of bulk solid waste and resource recycling. 

In October 2021, China released the Action Plan for Reaching Carbon Dioxide Peak Before 2030. It provides details on how the country intends to fulfill its target of reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030 through a series of measures for gradually slowing the emission of carbon, transitioning to renewable energy, and reducing waste. 

One focus, as stated in the action plan, is to strengthen the use of bulk solid waste including coal gangue, coal fly ash, tailings, associated minerals, smelting slag, by-product gypsum, construction refuse, and crop straw. China will promote incineration of household waste, bring down the proportion of waste disposed in landfills, and develop recycling technology for kitchen waste. The total amount of nine major reusable resources including steel scrap, cooper, aluminum, lead, zinc, wastepaper, plastic, rubber, and glass recycled will top 450 million metric tons, reaching 510 million by 2030.  

To learn more, please see the complete Action Plan here, or contact Senior Commercial Specialist Ms. Jiangyao Zhang at jiangyao.zhang@trade.gov.