Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A comprehensive overview of rural solid waste management in China

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper aims to conduct a comprehensive review of rural solid waste (RSW) in terms of characteristics, management and legislation. Survey results show that RSW generation rates range from 0.25 to 2.1 kg ∙(capita∙d)−1 in different rural villages across regions of China. Total RSW generation has been increasing, which is far higher than official data in 2014. RSW are dominated by food residue and coal ash/cinder/dust (at approximately 70%). Most of RSW are still discarded randomly without any treatment in China. Scattered RSW generation sources, imperfect legislation system, poor infrastructure on treatment and disposal are identified as the biggest challenge for RSW management currently in China. To improve RSW management, increasing financial resources, establishing sorting collection and transportation network, promoting sorting collection and recycling, improving treatment technology are proposed as the possible solution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wang L J. The changes of China’s environmental policies in the latest 30 years. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 2010, 2: 1206–1212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Zhang K M, Wen Z G, Peng L Y. Environmental policies in China: evolvement, features and evaluation. China Population. Resources and Environment, 2007, 17(2): 1–7

    Google Scholar 

  3. Tang L X, Zuo T. Environment pollution in rural China: evidences from 141 villages. China Rural Survey, 2008(1): 31–38 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Huang K X, Wang J X, Bai J F, Qiu H G. Domestic solid waste discharge and its determinants in rural China. China Agricultural Economic Review, 2013, 5(4): 512–525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Zarate M A, Slotnick J, Ramos M. Capacity building in rural Guatemala by implementing a solid waste management program. Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 2008, 28(12): 2542–2551

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. National Bureau of Statistics of China. China Statistical Yearbook 2010. Beijing: China Statistical Press, 2011 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Li W B, Yao J, Tao P P, Hu H, Fang C R, Shen D S. An innovative combined on–site process for the remote rural solid waste treatment—A pilot scale case study in China. Bioresource Technology, 2011, 102(5): 4117–4123

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Yang C J, Yang M D, Yu Q. An analytical study on the resource recycling potentials of urban and rural domestic waste in China. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 2012, 16: 25–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Qiu B X. Rural planning and construction in an era of ecological civilization. 2009. Available online at http://www.mohurd.gov.cn/jsbfld/200903/t20090316_187287.html (accessed February 18, 2009) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Lu W, Wang H. Role of rural solid waste management in non-point source pollution control of Dianchi Lake catchments, China. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering in China, 2008, 2(1): 15–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Li’ao W, Ting’quan P, Chuan H, Hui Y. Management of municipal solid waste in the Three Gorges region. Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 2009, 29(7): 2203–2208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. The World Bank. Waste Management in China: Issues and Recommendations. Working Paper No. 9. Urban Development Working Papers. Washington, DC: East Asia Infrastructure Development, 2005

    Google Scholar 

  13. Chen X, Geng Y, Fujita T. An overview of municipal solid waste management in China. Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 2010, 30(4): 716–724

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Zhang D Q, Tan S K, Gersberg R M. Municipal solid waste management in China: status, problems and challenges. Journal of Environmental Management, 2010, 91(8): 1623–1633

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Gao H S, Chen G K, Li H S, Luo S M, Duan X W, Liu Y L. Composition of solid waste and its disposition methods in rural area of Guangdong province, China. Journal of Agro–Environment Science, 2012, 31(7): 1445–1452 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  16. He P J. Municipal solid waste in rural areas of developing country: Do we need special treatment mode? Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 2012, 32(7): 1289–1290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Xie J. Report of China’s SolidWaste Strategy Forum of 2010. 2010. Available online at http://bg.panlv.net/file2/2010/12/06/a93e27340fdfb6d5.pdf (accessed December 6, 2010) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Wang H, He J, Kim Y, Kamata T. Municipal solid waste management in rural areas and small counties: an economic analysis using contingent valuation to estimate willingness to pay for Yunnan, China. Waste Management & Research, 2014, 32(8): 695–706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. National Bureau of Statistics of China. China Statistical Yearbook 2013. Beijing: China Statistical Press, 2013 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China. Guideline on Project Construction and Investment for Rural Garbage Classification & Click–Transport and Treatment. 2011. Available online at http://www.zhb.gov.cn/gkml/hbb/bwj/201311/ W020131118523580082201.pdf (accessed November 11, 2011) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  21. State Environmental Protection Administration of the People’s Republic of China. National Rural Environmental Pollution Prevention Planning Outline (2007–2020). 2007 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Lu Y N. The total amount of garbage in rural China is booming, Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China is trying to solve the problem of “Garbages Besieging Villages” in the following 5 years. Beijing: People’s Daily, 2014. Available online at http://fj.people.com.cn/ changting/n/2014/1119/c355599–22949697.html (accessed November 19, 2014) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Li Y, Xu S H. Current situation and countermeasure of rural domestic solid waste in China. Construction Science and Technology, 2007(7): 62–63 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Ye C H, Qin P. Provision of residential solid waste management service in rural China. China & World Economy, 2008, 16(5): 118–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Wang J Q, Wang Y B, Li X C, Xue J R, Zhang Y H. Discharge & disposal status on domestic garbage and sewage in countrysides. Chinese Journal of Public Health Engineering, 2004, 3(4): 202–205 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Wei X, Liu X L, Su Y. Characteristics of pollution in rural habitats and analysis on causion: a survey based on the status quo of China’s rural drinking water and environmental sanitation. China Development, 2007, 7(4): 92–98 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Bernardes C, GüntherWMR. Generation of domestic solid waste in rural areas: case study of remote communities in the Brazilian Amazon. Human Ecology, 2014, 42(4): 617–623

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Taboada-Gonzalez P, Aguilar-Virgen Q, Ojeda-Benitez S, Armijo C. Waste characteristic and waste management perception in rural communities in Mexico: a case study. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 2011, 10(11): 1751–1759

    Google Scholar 

  29. Yue B, Zhang Z B, Sun Y J, Li H L. Characteristics of rural household solid wastes in China. Environmental Science & Technology, 2014, 37(6): 129–134 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Wu P F, Cui C H, Zhou L X, Li C. Characteristics and management pattern of household solid wastes in relatively developed rural areas of China: a case study of Tai Lake Region. Journal of Agro–Environment Science, 2006, 25(1): 237–243 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Zhang H H, Zhang Y M. Current situation and disposal technology of rural domestic waste in Taihu Lake Basin. Environmental Sanitation Engineering, 2009, 17(4): 9–11 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Surendra K C, Takara D, Hashimoto A G, Khanal S K. Biogas as a sustainable energy source for developing countries: Opportunities and challenges. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2014, 31: 846–859

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Shi B F. Technical guide for municipal solid waste sanitary landfills’ research for national standard and engineering application. Dissertation for the Master Degree. Wuhan: Huazhong Univesity of Science and Technology, 2011 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Linzner R, Salhofer S. Municipal solid waste recycling and the significance of informal sector in urban China. Waste Management & Research, 2014, 32(9): 896–907

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China. Notice on Publication of the First List of the Full Coverage of Rural Domestic Solid Waste Treatment in County (District and City) Level. 2010. Available online at http:// www.mohurd.gov.cn/zcfg/jsbwj_0/jsbwjczghyjs/201101/t20110126_202195.htht (accessed November 28, 2011) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Zhang J, Jia C R, Xia X F. Base on set pair analysis for rural domestic refuse treatment technology evaluation. Advanced Materials Research, 2013, 781–784: 2013–2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Wu D, Zhang C, Lü F, Shao L, He P. The operation of cost–effective on–site process for the bio–treatment of mixed municipal solid waste in rural areas. Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 2014, 34(6): 999–1005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Duan H, Huang Q, Wang Q, Zhou B, Li J. Hazardous waste generation and management in China: a review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2008, 158(2–3): 221–227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. He S R. Environmental Protection Cooperative is Fully Promoted in Changsha County. Changsha: Rednet, 2012. Available online at http://hn.rednet.cn/c/2012/11/24/2824659.htm (accessed November 24, 2012) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Zhang Y M, Zhang C S, Sun X M, Du X. Rural Domestic Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling Management. Beijing: China Architechture & Building Press, 2014 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Zhang K M, Wen Z G. Review and challenges of policies of environmental protection and sustainable development in China. Journal of Environmental Management, 2008, 88(4): 1249–1261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Wang C M, Lin Z L. Environmental policies in China over the past 10 Years: Progress, problems and prospects. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 2010, 2: 1701–1712

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. State Council of the People’s Republic of China. White Paper: China’s Efforts and Achievements in Promoting the Rule of Law. 2008. Available online at http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2008–02/28/content_2615764.htm (accessed February 28) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Wei J R, Li C J. Legal countermeasures on the prevention and control of rural living garbage pollution in China—Based on questionaire survey in Shimen County, Changde City, Hunan Province. Journal of Huazhong Agricultural University, 2014(2): 16–22 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Zhou L, Xu Z. Response to waste electrical and electronic equipments in China: legislation, recycling system, and advanced integrated process. Environmental Science & Technology, 2012, 46 (9): 4713–4724

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China. Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control Law of Solid Wastes 2005. Available online at http://www.gov.cn/flfg/2005–06/21/content_8289.htm (accessed June 21, 2005) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  47. National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China. Circular Economy Promotion Law. 2009. Available online at http://www.gov.cn/flfg/2008–08/29/content_1084355.htm (accessed August 29, 2008) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  48. Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China. GB50445–2008. Technique Code for Village Rehabilitation. Beijing: China Architecture & Building Press. 2008 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China. HJ574–2010. Technical Specifications of Domestic Pollution Control for Town and Village. Beijing: China Environmental Science Press. 2011 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  50. Li L H. The central government allocated 5 billion Yuan in special rural environmental protection fund in 2012. Beijing: People’s Daily, 2012. Available online at http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/17102427.html (accessed February 14, 2012) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  51. Ministry of Environmental Protection. Mistry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China. Interim Measures for the Management of Special Funds for Environmental Protection in Rural Areas. 2009. Available online at http://gcs.mep.gov.cn/zybz/nchbzx/200905/ t20090507_151251.html (accessed May 7, 2009) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  52. Qiu C D. Research on utilization and management pattern for rural domestic refuse. Dissertation for the Master Degree. Hangzhou: Zhejiang University, 2008 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  53. Shao Z H, He P J, Zhang D Q, Shao L M. Characterization of water–extractable organic matter during the biostabilization of municipal solid waste. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2009, 164 (2–3): 1191–1197

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Li H Y. Characteristics of domestic waste and suggestion for waste classification in Beijing rural area. Environmental Sanitation Engineering, 2008, 16(2): 35–37 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  55. Li Y. Production survey of typical rural solid waste and research of the pollution provention in Shenyang. Journal of Anhui Agricultural Science, 2007, 35(12): 3626–3647 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  56. Liu Y D, He P J, Shao L M, Lu H H. Management and treatment of rural refuse in Tailake Region. Journal of Agro–Environment Science, 2005, 24(6): 1221–1225 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  57. Liu Y D, He P J, Shao L M, Yang G. Production and feature of rural solid wastes in Tailake Region of China. Journal of Agro–Environment Science, 2005, 24(3): 533–537 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  58. Zhong Q S, Sun X W, Lu H W, Luo J, Wu X C. Study on rural domestic refuse classification–collection and reclamation in Tailake Region. Environmental Engineering, 2014(3): 96–99 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  59. Gu W B, Qiao Q C, Hua H R, Shi Y F, Yin H H. Research of the rural domestic waste production and treatment model in Nantong. Journal of Jiangsu Agricultural Science, 2008(3): 283–286 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  60. Chen G Z, Wang K. Study on current status of garbage and waste water treatment in rural areas of Fujian and the countermeasures. Journal of Environmental Health, 2009, 26(7): 606–608 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  61. Chen R, Shan S D, Wu Y Q. Regional characteristics of the domestic waste and its circular use in rural Zhejiang. Journal of Zhejiang Forestry College, 2008, 25(5): 644–649 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  62. Chen K B, He S Y, Feng H J. Study on the characteristic of rural domestic garbage in Zhejiang. Energy Engineering, 2010, (1): 39–43 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  63. He P J, Zhang C Y, Yang N, Zhang H, Lv F, Shao L M. Present situation and technical treatment route of rural domestic waste treatment in China. Journal of Agro–Environment Science, 2010, 29(11): 2049–2054 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  64. Wei X, Peng X Y, Jia C X, Liu B, Zhang P, Yuan R H. Analysis on characteristics of rural domestic waste in the Three Gorges Reservoir. Journal of Anhui Agricultural Science, 2009, 37(16): 7610–7612 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  65. Zhang J, Zhong J S, Shao L M, He P J. Charactersitics of rural household solid wastes and in situ treatment: A case study in Qionghai City of Hainan Province. Journal of Agro–Environment Science, 2009, 28(11): 2422–2427 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  66. Yue B, Zhang Z B, Huang Q F, Li H L, Sun Y J. Study on the physico–chemical properties of living solid waste in several typical villages and towns in China. Environmental Engineering, 2014(7): 105–110 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  67. Shan H L, Zhu W, Zhang C L, Li L. The investigation of developed rural refuse characteristic and discussion of treatment. Jiangsu Environmental Science and Technology, 2006, 19(6): 3–5 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  68. Han Z Y, Mei Z L, Shui Y J, Chen X H, Bai F. Characteristics and management of domestic solid wastes in rural areas of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, China. Journal of Agro–Environment Science, 2013, 32(12): 2495–2501 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  69. Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Finance, National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China. Implementation Plan about Promoting Solutions to Prominent Rural Environmental Problems. 2009. Available online at http://www.gov.cn/zwgk/2009–03/03/content_1249013.htm (accessed April 3, 2009) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  70. State Council of the People’s Republic of China. Instruction on How to Improve Rural Living Environment. 2014. Available online at http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/2014–05/29/content_8835. htm (accessed May 29, 2014) (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China

    Chao Zeng, Dongjie Niu & Youcai Zhao

Authors
  1. Chao Zeng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dongjie Niu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Youcai Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dongjie Niu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zeng, C., Niu, D. & Zhao, Y. A comprehensive overview of rural solid waste management in China. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 9, 949–961 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-015-0816-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-015-0816-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation