The State Council issued the Action Plan for Comprehensive Treatment of Solid Waste

Recently, the State Council issued the Action Plan for Comprehensive Treatment of Solid Waste (hereinafter referred to as the Action Plan). Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,

the Plan of Action thoroughly implements the spirit of the 20th and 20th Plenary sessions of the CPC, completely, accurately and comprehensively implements the new development concept, adheres to the principles of reduction, resource utilization and harmlessne SS, adheres to systematic advancement and key challenges, speeds up the completion of shortcomings and weaknesses, and strives to build a well-off society in an all-round way. Focus on key areas, key areas and key issues, carry out in-depth special renovation, strictly implement closed-loop management, build a comprehensive treatment system of solid waste with source reduction, process control, end utilization and whole chain harmless management, give priority to the treatment of solid waste closely related to people's lives and safe production, and accelerate the improvement of comprehensive treatment. We will resolutely curb the growth momentum of solid waste. According to

the Action Plan, by 2030, the special treatment of solid waste in key areas will have achieved remarkable results, the historical stockpile of solid waste will be effectively controlled, the high incidence of illegal dumping and disposal will be curbed, and the annual comprehensive utilization of bulk solid waste will reach 4.5 billion tons.

The Action Plan focuses on the major waste production areas such as industry, towns, agriculture and forestry, and further clarifies the governance tasks of each link, promotes source control and reduction, standardizes collection, transshipment and storage, improves the level of resource utilization, and enhances the ability of harmless governance in accordance with the idea of comprehensive management of the whole chain. We will deploy and carry out special rectification in key areas such as illegal dumping and disposal of solid waste, potential environmental pollution hazards in domestic waste landfills, construction waste, historical solid waste storage sites and phosphogypsum, strictly supervise the whole process and supervise law enforcement, improve regulations, standards and technical systems, and strengthen policy guarantees.

The Action Plan requires all relevant departments in all regions to implement it under the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee and in light of the actual situation. Local governments at all levels should earnestly fulfill their main responsibilities, improve the working system, refine the objectives and tasks, and ensure the effectiveness of landing. According to the division of responsibilities, the relevant departments should carry out key tasks and form joint efforts. We should adhere to the principle of "who pollutes, who governs" and consolidate the responsibility of the main body of solid waste pollution prevention and control.

The following is the full text of the Action Plan:

Circular

of the State Council on Printing and Distributing the Action Plan for Comprehensive Treatment of Solid Waste Guo Fa [2025] No.14

The people's governments of all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government, All ministries and commissions of the State Council and all institutions directly under the State Council:

The Action Plan for Comprehensive Treatment of Solid Waste is hereby printed and distributed to you, please implement it carefully.

The State Council's

Action Plan

for Comprehensive Treatment of Solid Waste on December 27

, 2025 (this article has been deleted)

is to strengthen the comprehensive treatment of solid waste and promote the construction of a beautiful China. Accelerate the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development and formulate this action plan.

First, the overall requirement

is to take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guidance, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th and 20th Plenary sessions of the CPC, completely, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept, adhere to the principles of reduction, resource utilization and harmlessness, and systematically promote and focus on tackling key problems. We should speed up the completion of shortcomings and weaknesses, focus on key areas, key areas and key issues, carry out in-depth special renovation, strictly implement closed-loop management, build a comprehensive solid waste management system featuring source reduction, process control, end utilization and harmless management of the whole chain, and give priority to the management of solid waste closely related to people's lives and safe production. We will resolutely curb the growth momentum of solid waste. By 2030, the special treatment of solid waste in key areas has achieved remarkable results, the historical stockpile of solid waste has been effectively controlled, the high incidence of illegal dumping and disposal has been curbed, and the annual comprehensive utilization of bulk solid waste has reached 4.5 billion tons. The annual recycling amount of major renewable resources reached 5.

2. Promoting source control and reduction

(1) Strengthening the source reduction of industrial solid waste. We will strictly implement policies on industry, environmental protection and energy conservation, and eliminate backward production capacity in accordance with the law and regulations. Strengthen the source control of solid waste in industrial parks. We will vigorously promote green design, support enterprises to improve production processes and equipment, strengthen fine management and control of industrial production, and reduce the intensity of solid waste generation. Promote the integration of mining and dressing of heavy non-ferrous metals, promote the filling and backfilling of tailings nearby, and in principle, no longer approve the construction of mineral processing projects without self-built mines and supporting tailings utilization and disposal facilities. Promote the dynamic balance between solid waste production and comprehensive consumption in key industries.

(2) Implementing the source control of urban solid waste. Promote the classification and treatment of construction waste. We will steadily develop prefabricated buildings, promote green construction, full decoration or standardized decoration delivery, and strengthen the control of solid waste sources at construction sites. The cost of construction waste reduction, transportation, utilization and disposal shall be included in the project cost, and the reduction requirements and measures shall be clearly defined in the project bidding and construction design. Explore the management of solid waste discharge quota for housing construction and municipal engineering. It is encouraged to dispose of garden garbage locally and nearby. Compact the main responsibility of operators and strictly implement the requirements of standardized use and reduction of plastic products. We will accelerate the green transformation of express packaging and strengthen the management of excessive packaging of commodities.

(3) Reduce the generation of agricultural and forestry solid waste. Strengthen the scientific use and management of plastic film, and strictly prohibit non-standard plastic film from entering the market. Strengthen the packaging management of agricultural inputs and reduce the generation of packaging waste. Promote circular agricultural production mode.

3. Standardize the collection, transshipment and storage

(4) Strengthen the standardized management of industrial solid waste. We will improve the accounting system for industrial solid waste management and strengthen the tracking and control of the whole chain. Carry out classified collection and storage of industrial solid waste to prevent mixed storage and discharge. It is forbidden to put industrial solid waste into domestic waste collection facilities. The examination and approval system for inter-provincial transfer of industrial solid waste and hazardous waste shall be strictly implemented. Standardize the collection and management of hazardous wastes in various enterprises.

(Five) standardize the recycling and transshipment system of urban solid waste. Improve the level of domestic waste classification and resource utilization. Deepen the "two networks integration" of domestic waste classification network and waste material recycling network. Develop the "Internet + recycling" mode. Strengthen the information supervision of construction sites and temporary storage sites, strengthen the dynamic supervision of transport vehicles, strictly prevent the scattering and dumping of construction waste along the way, and prevent the transfer of urban construction waste to rural areas. Classified collection containers and transportation equipment for garden garbage should be allocated according to local conditions.

(Six) improve the collection and transshipment capacity of agricultural and forestry solid waste. Construction of livestock and poultry manure collection and treatment facilities according to local conditions. We will improve the system of straw collection, storage and transportation, and cultivate specialized third-party service providers. We will strengthen the recycling and disposal of waste agricultural materials and scrapped agricultural machinery. Actively play the role of recycling network of supply and marketing cooperative system. We will build a recycling system that combines agricultural management points with rural garbage recycling stations, and promote deposit system and recycling incentive system.

4. Improving the level

of resource utilization (7) Strengthening the comprehensive utilization of bulk solid waste. Enhance the comprehensive utilization capacity of smelting slag, tailings, associated minerals, red mud and construction waste, strengthen the efficient extraction and overall utilization of valuable components, and promote the diversified utilization of coal gangue according to local conditions. Broaden the way of comprehensive utilization of straw and improve the scientific and standardized level of straw returning. Promote the resource utilization of livestock and poultry breeding wastes.

(Eight) improve the recycling level of renewable resources. Strengthen the standardized management of the comprehensive utilization of renewable resources. Carry out the upgrading action of "urban mineral resources" demonstration base. We will further implement the extended producer responsibility system and guide manufacturers of electrical and electronic products, automobiles and power batteries to participate in recycling. Improve the management system of second-hand goods trading. Encourage the development of "Internet + second-hand" mode. Vigorously develop the remanufacturing industry. On the premise of ensuring zero import of solid waste, we will promote the import and utilization of overseas high-quality renewable resources in an orderly manner.

(9) Strengthen the application and promotion of recycled materials. Establish and improve the standards and certification system for recycled materials. Research and implement carbon footprint certification of recycled materials and products. Guide production enterprises to increase the proportion of recycled materials. Promote the application of recycled materials into the scope of corporate social responsibility. More qualified recycled materials and products will be included in the scope of government green procurement. Explore the information traceability of the application of recycled materials.

5. Increase the ability

of harmless treatment (10) Improve the level of harmless treatment in the whole process. Strengthen the harmless pretreatment of bulk industrial solid waste, reduce the amount of storage and landfill and the risk of environmental pollution. Domestic waste treatment methods should be determined according to local conditions, domestic waste incineration facilities should be rationally laid out and constructed, and sludge and industrial solid waste from municipal sewage treatment plants should be co-disposed of on the premise of ensuring safe and stable operation. New domestic waste incineration projects should simultaneously implement fly ash treatment approaches and gradually reduce the amount of fly ash landfill. Optimize the structure of sludge treatment and disposal and reduce the scale of landfill.

(11) Steady and orderly exploration of large-scale absorption and utilization channels. On the premise of meeting the environmental quality standards, pollution risk control requirements and safety production requirements, the large-scale absorption and utilization of bulk industrial solid waste through underground filling, mine backfilling and ecological restoration is explored. Establish a unified and standardized management system, strengthen coordination among departments, strictly implement relevant approval and decision-making procedures, and resolutely prevent illegal dumping in the name of large-scale absorption and utilization.

6. Implementing special rectification

in key areas (12) Carrying out special rectification for illegal dumping and disposal of solid waste. Deeply investigate the illegal dumping and disposal of solid waste in key areas, find problems in time and rectify them one by one within a time limit. We should seriously investigate and punish illegal units and individuals in accordance with the law and regulations, and cut off the chain of black interests.

(Thirteen) carry out special remediation of potential environmental pollution hazards in domestic waste landfills. Systematically find out the hidden dangers of environmental pollution in domestic waste landfills, and set up a problem rectification account. We should speed up the formulation of technical requirements for renovation and carry out special renovation in a "one policy" manner. In principle, all the landfills that will be closed before the end of 2024 will be closed by 2027, except those with follow-up use plans.

(14) Deeply promote the special treatment of construction waste. Speed up the planning and construction of construction waste utilization and disposal facilities. In-depth investigation of illegal and irregular problems in the production, collection, storage, transportation, utilization and disposal of construction waste. We should strengthen the normalization of joint law enforcement and punishment across departments, open channels for information sharing and case transfer, and investigate and deal with a number of typical cases strictly and promptly according to law.

(Fifteen) carry out special renovation of solid waste storage sites left over from history. Find out the environmental management of bulk industrial solid waste storage sites in China. To carry out environmental risk investigation and assessment, "one (mine) one policy" will further promote the investigation and remediation of potential environmental safety hazards involving heavy metal mines, tailings reservoirs, dumps (slag) sites and hazardous waste landfills. By 2030, more than 60% of the historical solid waste storage sites in China will be treated, and the potential environmental risks of red mud and tailings reservoirs will be comprehensively rectified.

(16) Further promote the comprehensive treatment of phosphogypsum. "One reservoir, one policy" promotes the investigation and remediation of potential environmental risks in phosphogypsum reservoirs. Strengthen the environmental management of phosphogypsum storage, transportation and utilization, strictly implement the technical specifications for pollution control of phosphogypsum utilization and harmless storage, and seriously investigate and punish environmental violations related to phosphogypsum according to law. By 2027, Yunnan, Hubei, Guizhou, Sichuan, Anhui, Chongqing and other regions will complete the renovation of the stock of phosphogypsum.

7. Strict supervision of the whole process and law enforcement supervision

(17) Enhance the ability of information-based supervision. We will strengthen information-based supervision of the whole life cycle of solid waste, strengthen domestic waste incineration, solid waste landfill, co-disposal of hazardous waste incineration and industrial kilns, and automatic monitoring of enterprises in key industries of heavy metals according to law, and promote real-time dynamic monitoring of the whole process of hazardous waste. Promote enterprises to carry out upgrading and transformation of digital intelligent monitoring equipment.

(18) Strengthen supervision of environmental law enforcement. Strictly implement the relevant laws and regulations on the prevention and control of solid waste pollution, and strengthen the supervision of the whole chain from production to disposal. Strictly crack down on illegal and criminal acts of solid waste environment, investigate the responsibility according to law and regulations, and strengthen the punishment of illegal and illegal acts with obvious subjective malice and serious environmental hazards, such as private underground drainage. The ecological environment department shall supervise the listing of cases causing serious ecological damage and environmental pollution. Continue to carry out "waste clearance action" in key areas. Establish and improve the cross-sectoral and cross-regional joint supervision and law enforcement mechanism, and intensify the crackdown on illegal dumping of solid waste across provinces. The prominent ecological environment problems such as illegal disposal of solid waste should be included in the supervision of ecological environment protection.

8. Improving the system

of laws, regulations, standards and technology (19) Improving the system of laws and regulations. We will promote the compilation of the ecological environment code and the revision of the circular economy promotion law. Promote pollutant discharge units to disclose environmental information of industrial solid waste according to law and incorporate it into environmental credit evaluation. Revision of regulations and regulations on recycling and disposal of waste electrical and electronic products, hazardous waste business license, construction waste, etc. We will accelerate the introduction of management measures for the comprehensive utilization of power batteries for new energy vehicles. We will improve the statistical investigation system for bulk solid waste and renewable resources, and improve the statistical system and evaluation system for circular economy.

(20) Play the role of standard traction. Revise the guidance catalogue of industrial structure adjustment, and increase the restriction and elimination of backward technology and equipment. Classify and revise solid waste pollution control standards, improve construction waste and other solid waste resource utilization technology and product quality standards, and clarify the conditions for determining renewable raw materials and solid waste. Actively participate in the formulation and revision of international standards for solid waste treatment, and strengthen the international convergence of standards and certification systems.

(twenty-one) strengthen the support of scientific and technological innovation. We will strengthen research and development of key technologies for solid waste recycling and heavy metal pollution control, and tackle key technical equipment for resource recycling. To formulate a technical guidance catalogue for ecological environment. Revise the catalogue of advanced and applicable technology and equipment for comprehensive utilization of mineral resources and industrial resources.

9. Strengthen policy guarantee

(22) Strengthen land security. Scientific planning of solid waste backfilling mine pit projects. Projects such as classified collection and transit storage of domestic waste will be included in the scope of land security for public infrastructure. Local governments should strengthen land security for resource recycling projects and arrange no less than 1% of industrial land to support the construction of resource recycling facilities.

(twenty-three) strengthen fiscal, taxation and financial policy support for investment. We should make good use of all kinds of funds at all levels to support the construction of qualified projects for comprehensive treatment of solid waste and recycling of resources, and make up for the shortcomings of facilities and equipment for harmless storage, transshipment and disposal of solid waste as soon as possible. We will vigorously develop green finance and guide financial institutions and social capital to increase investment. We will improve the implementation of the policy of environmental protection tax on solid waste and guide business entities to strengthen recycling and harmless disposal. Promote the practice of "reverse invoicing" by resource recovery enterprises to sellers of scrapped products by natural persons. Establish a scientific and reasonable price mechanism, guide relevant enterprises to increase investment in research and development of solid waste comprehensive treatment technology, form a sustainable business model, and give full play to market forces to promote the development of circular economy.

(twenty-four) improve the charging system. Implement the charging system for garbage disposal, and rationally formulate and adjust the charging standards for garbage disposal. We will support local governments to improve the charging model and explore a differentiated domestic waste treatment fee system in the light of waste classification. Promote the metering and charging of non-resident kitchen waste disposal.

10. Strengthen implementation guarantee

(25) Strengthen organizational leadership. Under the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, all relevant departments in various regions should implement it in accordance with the actual situation. Local governments at all levels should earnestly fulfill their main responsibilities, improve the working system, refine the objectives and tasks, and ensure the effectiveness of landing. Strictly standardize the administrative inspection of enterprises involved. The National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment have strengthened overall coordination to promote the implementation of the tasks of the Action Plan and timely assess the progress and effectiveness. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has strengthened unified supervision and management, accelerated the construction of "waste-free cities", and promoted the implementation of the target responsibility system and assessment system for the prevention and control of solid waste pollution. According to the division of responsibilities, the relevant departments should carry out key tasks and form joint efforts. We should clarify the responsibility boundary between the government and enterprises, adhere to the principle of "who pollutes, who governs", and consolidate the responsibility of the main body of solid waste pollution prevention and control. Major matters shall be reported in a timely manner according to the procedures.

(twenty-six) deepen publicity and guidance and international cooperation. Incorporate the knowledge of circular economy and the concept of "no waste" into the relevant education and training system. In conjunction with the activities of the National Ecological Day, the National Energy Conservation Publicity Week and the Sixth Five-Year Environment Day, various forms of publicity and education will be carried out to promote advanced experiences and practices and form a good atmosphere for the participation of the whole society. We will deepen multilateral and bilateral international cooperation, strengthen the implementation of international conventions, and promote more practical results.