The Guangzhou Interim Provisions on the Classification of Urban Household Garbage officially entered into force on April 1. As arranged by the City Administration Committee, garbage classification will be first implemented in 16 streets, six neighborhoods, residential estates managed by Vanke and Poly, hotels owned by the Lingnan Group, and agricultural product markets throughout the city. For these areas, garbage classification will become compulsory from April 1. There is no specific timetable for the implementation of the garbage classification system for other areas in the city; the City Administration Committee simply said that the areas may also classify garbage in accordance to the Provisions.
The Guangzhou Integrated City Administration and Enforcement Bureau will launch a publicity campaign in April to raise awareness of the Provisions, and more than 3,000 city administrators will promote and enforce garbage classification in the 16 designated areas.
According to The Guide to Household Garbage Classification, household garbage is classified into recyclables, kitchen waste, harmful waste, and other waste. Residents may sub-classify the types of garbage.
Residents are required to put their garbage into bags and then place the bags into receptacles in their hallways or garbage stations. The garbage will then be collected by sanitary workers and be transported by type. In residential areas with environmental constraints, residents will separate kitchen waste from other waste (wet waste from dry waste) and sanitary workers will collect the waste and re-classify it into four types.
Some residents have expressed hopes that the government will post notices on garbage classification procedures in hallways and elevators as a guide.
(Translated by Guangzhou Association of Foreign Affairs Translators)
