China running out of rubbish to burn as waste power goes into overdrive

4 pointsposted 14 hours ago
by bookofjoe
(ft.com)

5 Comments

toomuchtodo

13 hours ago

The article notes that China is going so far as to excavate existing landfills to source feedstock for these under utilized incinerators. Perhaps they could be importing trash from neighboring countries for disposal as well?

litbear2022

10 hours ago

Considering the irresponsible record of developed countries, this idea is extremely selfish.

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%27s_waste_import_ban

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chittagong_Ship_Breaking_Yard

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ6c0EAS0aY

toomuchtodo

9 hours ago

I consider China one of the most developed countries from an engineering and process perspective, and most suited to import trash for energy generation compared to ecologically and socially unacceptable alternatives due to potential harm to the environment and humans. If trash will be generated, it must be disposed of, and it can be responsibly managed by importing for energy, I see no issue.

ammo1662

8 hours ago

China's already selling waste incineration power plant tech to other countries. They can build their own plants to handle their waste.

In China, these power plants are part of the urban waste management system, they are built to process trash, not to generate profit. As a waste disposal measure, their capacity must exceed the city’s waste production rate; otherwise, garbage would pile up.