State Council Unveils Action Plan for Comprehensive Solid Waste Management: Governance Capacity to Significantly Improve by 2030

On January 13, a regular State Council briefing introduced the "Action Plan for Comprehensive Solid Waste Management," which sets a clear goal of significantly enhancing China's comprehensive solid waste management capacity by 2030. The Action Plan adheres to the principle of "polluter pays," clarifying the respective responsibilities of government and enterprises to prevent companies from profiting while shifting the costs of pollution onto society. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) will issue administrative measures for the comprehensive utilization of power batteries from new energy vehicles and revise the Catalogue for Guiding Industrial Restructuring to phase out outdated technologies and equipment. The plan comprises three main pillars with a total of 10 measures: First, it outlines the establishment over the next five years of an integrated management system covering waste reduction at source, process control, end-of-pipe utilization, and full-chain harmless treatment. Second, it focuses on key waste-generating sectors—including industry, urban areas, and agriculture and forestry—to promote waste reduction, standardize collection, transportation, and storage, and enhance resource recovery and harmless treatment capabilities. Third, it strengthens whole-process supervision, boosts digital and information-based management capacities, and enhances enforcement and inspection mechanisms to reinforce the pollution prevention responsibilities of local governments, relevant departments, and polluting entities.