Round Table China Lacking trash to burn: problem or progress?
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Aug 14, 2025 China's waste management is facing an unexpected twist as incinerators struggle with a shortage of trash to burn. This surprising reduction stems from advances in recycling and waste reduction. The discussion uncovers the balance between environmental benefits and the operational hurdles that incineration plants encounter. Innovative strategies are being explored to repurpose aging landfill waste, pushing for sustainable practices. As the nation evolves its waste management strategies, collaboration between regions and companies becomes crucial for future success.
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Capacity Mismatch Explains Low Utilization
- Many incinerators run under 60% capacity because design and regional mismatches left supply short of built capacity.
- Shortages reflect structural distribution issues rather than a single national lack of waste.
Plant Pivot: Heat Sales And Regional Sourcing
- A Henan plant operating at ~50% sought waste from neighboring counties and provided heat to manufacturers to raise revenue.
- Operators pivoted to other uses and regional coordination to survive low local waste flows.
Excavating Aged Landfill To Free Capacity
- Hubei excavated 91,000 tons of aged landfill waste to free space and feed incinerators.
- Guangzhou dug up old landfill material to make room for fly ash disposal and extend site life to 2030.