Economic and social progress in China have led to growth and increasing diversity - of waste. The total volume of municipal waste collected in 1981 amounted to 26.1 million tonnes. More than 20 years later, in 2002, that figure had quadrupled to 110 million tonnes - an annual growth of 8.2 per cent, compared to an annual population growth of around 4.4 per cent. In 2002 the statistical parameters of the waste collection database were changed, so historical comparisons cannot be accurately made; however, they show a 4.6 per cent growth in municipal waste from 2003 (148 million tonnes) to 2005 (155 million tonnes) and a decrease in real terms by 2007 (148 million tonnes). From 2003-2006 the number of waste treatment and disposal facilities also shrunk by 27 per cent to 419 facilities. Total capacity however, rose by 17.5 per cent to 258,000 tonnes per day, indicating that more modern and efficient disposal units were put into operation.[1]
These figures indicate that government authorities have acknowledged that environmental protection and a modern waste management system hold key roles in sustainable and responsible development. To drive this further, China is actively pursuing an exchange of experience and know-how with the developing world as well as with developed countries. Within the framework of bilateral dialogue, China regularly makes requests for technology transfer between Germany and China, for instance. Germany, too, is coping with the environmental impact of its economic boom during the fifties and sixties and is a leader in the field of environmental technologies.
To read the rest of this article, which details the transfer of technology and knowledge from Germany to China, please visit, www.bfchina.de.
This article was written by Thomas Dorn, for the China market magazine, BusinessForum China. BusinessForum China provides news and analysis covering the Chinese economy,, China investments and much more.