Ministry pledges to continue solid waste disposal crackdown

China will intensify its three-year nationwide crackdown on illegal solid waste disposal using advanced technologies like satellite remote sensing and drone surveillance, along with public tip-offs, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

At a news conference organized by the State Council Information Office on Tuesday, Li Gao, vice-minister of ecology and environment, said the ministry published a dedicated action plan in June to promote the campaign. The document highlights key focus areas, including urban-rural junctions, administrative boundaries, zones near mountains and water bodies, and ecologically sensitive sites such as mine pits and karst caves.

As the campaign progresses, Li said the ministry has established channels for public tip-offs and is using the internet for clues. Technological tools like satellite remote sensing are also being used to aid investigations. By the end of last year, the ministry had received 563 public reports and 1,682 clues based on satellite remote sensing, all of which have been forwarded to local authorities for verification.

Li noted proactive progress in the campaign, stating that by the end of December, 27,000 violations were identified nationwide, with 17,700 cases addressed and 34.6 million metric tons of solid waste cleared. He highlighted that, during the campaign, authorities inspected over 60,000 karst caves, identified 2,435 violations, and removed 49,000 tons of solid waste.

Li pledged that the ministry would continue to use advanced tools like satellite remote sensing and drone patrols while increasing public and media oversight to drive the campaign forward. He emphasized the need for increased oversight and enforcement throughout the entire waste lifecycle, from generation to disposal. Cases with clear malicious intent and significant environmental harm will be prioritized and directly supervised by the ministry.

Efforts will also be intensified to ensure a seamless transition between administrative enforcement and criminal justice, maintaining a high-pressure deterrence, he said.