State Council: In principle, it will no longer approve mineral processing projects without self-built mines or supporting tailings utilization and disposal facilities

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on January 4, the State Council issued the “Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Action Plan”, which mentions strengthening the reduction of industrial solid waste sources. Strictly implement industrial, environmental protection, energy saving and other policies, and eliminate backward production capacity according to law and regulations. Strengthen solid waste source control in industrial parks. Vigorously promote green design, support enterprises to improve production processes and equipment, strengthen fine control of industrial production, and reduce the intensity of solid waste generation. Promote the integrated construction of heavy non-ferrous metal ore mining, promote the filling and backfilling of tailings nearby. In principle, mineral processing projects without self-built mines or supporting tailings utilization and disposal facilities will no longer be approved. Promote the gradual achievement of a dynamic balance between solid waste generation and comprehensive consumption in key industries.

The above “Plan” also mentions adhering to systematic promotion and key efforts, speeding up the completion of shortcomings and weaknesses, keeping an eye on key areas, key regions and key issues, carrying out in-depth special remediation, strictly implementing closed-loop management, establishing a comprehensive solid waste management system with source reduction, process control, end use and harmless management throughout the whole chain, giving priority to treating solid waste closely related to people's lives and production safety, speeding up the improvement of long-term mechanisms for comprehensive treatment, and resolutely curbing the growth trend of solid waste. By 2030, special solid waste remediation in key areas has achieved remarkable results. Historic solid waste stocks have been effectively controlled, and the high incidence of illegal dumping and disposal has been curbed. The annual comprehensive utilization of bulk solid waste has reached 4.5 billion tons, the annual recycling volume of major renewable resources has reached 510 million tons, and the comprehensive solid waste treatment capacity and level have improved markedly.

Strengthen environmental enforcement inspections. Strictly implement laws and regulations relating to solid waste pollution prevention and control, and strengthen supervision of the entire chain from production to disposal. Strictly crack down on environmental offenses and criminal acts of solid waste, investigate responsibility according to law and regulations, and strengthen the punishment of illegal acts with obvious subjective malice and serious environmental harm, such as setting up private concealed pipes to steal. The Department of Ecology and Environment lists and supervises cases causing serious ecological damage and environmental pollution. Continue to carry out “waste clean-up operations” in key regions. Establish and improve joint supervision and enforcement mechanisms across departments and regions, and step up the crackdown on illegal dumping of solid waste across provinces. Include outstanding ecological and environmental issues such as illegal disposal of solid waste in ecological environment protection inspections.

The original text is as follows:

Notice of the State Council on Issuing the “Action Plan for Comprehensive Solid Waste Management”

China Development [2025] No. 14

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

The “Action Plan for Comprehensive Solid Waste Management” is now being issued to you. Please implement it carefully.

State Council               

December 27, 2025          

Action Plan for Comprehensive Solid Waste Management

In order to strengthen the comprehensive management of solid waste, promote the construction of a beautiful China, and accelerate the overall green transformation of economic and social development, this action plan was formulated.

I. General Requirements

Guided by Xi Jinping's ideology of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress and the 20th Plenary Session of the Party, completely, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept, adhere to systematic promotion and key efforts in accordance with the principles of reduction, recycling and harmlessness, speed up the completion of shortcomings and weaknesses, keep an eye on key areas, key regions and key issues, carry out in-depth special remediation, strictly implement closed-loop management, and establish a comprehensive solid waste treatment system closely related to the lives and safety of the whole chain solid waste, Accelerate the improvement of long-term mechanisms for comprehensive treatment, and resolutely curb the growth of solid waste. By 2030, special solid waste remediation in key areas has achieved remarkable results. Historic solid waste stocks have been effectively controlled, and the high incidence of illegal dumping and disposal has been curbed. The annual comprehensive utilization of bulk solid waste has reached 4.5 billion tons, the annual recycling volume of major renewable resources has reached 510 million tons, and the comprehensive solid waste treatment capacity and level have improved markedly.

II. Promote source control and reduction

(1) Strengthen the reduction of industrial solid waste sources. Strictly implement industrial, environmental protection, energy saving and other policies, and eliminate backward production capacity according to law and regulations. Strengthen solid waste source control in industrial parks. Vigorously promote green design, support enterprises to improve production processes and equipment, strengthen fine control of industrial production, and reduce the intensity of solid waste generation. Promote the integrated construction of heavy non-ferrous metal ore mining, promote the filling and backfilling of tailings nearby. In principle, mineral processing projects without self-built mines or supporting tailings utilization and disposal facilities will no longer be approved. Promote the gradual achievement of a dynamic balance between solid waste generation and comprehensive consumption in key industries.

(2) Implement source control of urban solid waste. Promote the classification and treatment of construction waste. Steadily develop prefabricated buildings, promote green construction, full decoration or standardized decoration delivery, and strengthen solid waste source control at construction sites. The costs required for construction waste reduction, transportation, utilization, and disposal are included in the project cost, and reduction requirements and measures are clarified in project tenders and construction design. Explore solid waste emission limit management for housing construction and municipal engineering. Encourage local disposal of garden waste nearby. Compute the main responsibilities of operators and strictly implement the requirements for standardized use and reduction of plastic products. Accelerate the green transformation of express packaging and strengthen the management of excessive product packaging.

(3) Reduce the generation of solid waste in agriculture and forestry. Strengthen the scientific use and management of mulching film, and strictly prohibit non-standard mulching film from entering the market and leaving the field. Strengthen the packaging management of agricultural inputs and reduce the generation of packaging waste. Promote a circular agricultural production model.

3. Standardize collection, transportation and storage

(4) Strengthen standardized management of industrial solid waste. Improve the industrial solid waste management ledger system and strengthen full-chain tracking and control. Implement separate collection and storage of industrial solid waste to prevent mixing and discharging of mixed piles. It is prohibited to dispose of industrial solid waste into domestic waste collection facilities. Strictly implement the approval system for the transfer of industrial solid waste and hazardous waste across provinces. Standardize the collection and management of hazardous waste in all types of enterprises.

(5) Standardize urban solid waste recycling and transfer systems. Raise the level of household waste classification and resource utilization. Deepen the “integration of the two networks” of household waste sorting outlets and waste material recycling outlets. Develop an “internet+recycling” model. Strengthen information-based supervision of construction sites and temporary storage sites, strengthen dynamic supervision of transport vehicles, strictly prevent leaving behind and uncontrolled unloading of construction waste along the way, and prevent the transfer of urban construction waste to rural areas. Configure garden garbage sorting, collection containers and transportation equipment according to local conditions.

(6) Improve agricultural and forestry solid waste collection and transportation capacity. Build livestock and poultry manure collection and treatment facilities according to local conditions. Improve the straw collection, storage and transportation system, and cultivate specialized third-party service providers. Strengthen the recycling and disposal of used agricultural materials and end-of-life agricultural machinery. Actively play the role of the supply and marketing cooperation system as a recycling network. Build a recycling system combining agricultural business sites and rural garbage collection stations, and promote models such as deposit systems and recycling incentive systems.

4. Raise the level of resource utilization

(7) Strengthen the comprehensive utilization of bulk solid waste. Improve the comprehensive utilization capacity of smelting slag, tailings, co-mortar, and construction waste, enhance the efficient extraction and overall utilization of valuable components, and promote diversified utilization of coal gangue according to local conditions. Broaden the comprehensive utilization of straw and raise the level of scientific and standardized return of straw to fields. Promote the resource utilization of livestock and poultry farming waste.

(8) Raise the level of recycling of renewable resources. Strengthen the standardized management of the comprehensive utilization of renewable resources in the industry. Launch the “Urban Mining” demonstration base upgrade campaign. Deeply implement the extended producer responsibility system to guide manufacturers of electrical and electronic products, automobiles, power batteries, etc. to participate in recycling. Improve the management system for used goods transactions. Encourage the development of the “Internet+Used” model. Vigorously develop the remanufacturing industry. On the premise of ensuring zero solid waste imports, we will promote the import and use of high-quality renewable resources from overseas in an orderly manner.

(9) Strengthen the application and promotion of recycled materials. Establish and improve standards and certification systems for recycled materials. Research and implement carbon footprint certification for recycled materials and products. Guide manufacturers to increase the proportion of recycled materials used. Promote the inclusion of the application of recycled materials in the scope of corporate social responsibility. Include more eligible recycled materials and products in the scope of government green procurement. Explore information-based traceability of the application of recycled materials.

5. Increase harmless control capabilities

(10) Raise the level of harmlessness throughout the process. Strengthen the harmless pretreatment of bulk industrial solid waste to reduce the amount of storage in landfills and the risk of environmental pollution. Determine domestic waste treatment methods according to local conditions, rationally lay out and build domestic waste incineration treatment facilities, and encourage collaborative disposal of sludge and industrial solid waste from urban sewage treatment plants on the premise of ensuring safe and stable operation. Newly built domestic waste incineration projects should simultaneously implement fly ash treatment methods to gradually reduce the amount of fly ash landfills. Optimize the sludge treatment and disposal structure and reduce the landfill scale.

(11) Exploring large-scale consumption and utilization channels in a steady and orderly manner. Explore large-scale consumption and utilization of bulk industrial solid waste through underground filling, mine pit backfilling, and ecological restoration on the premise of meeting environmental quality standards, pollution risk control requirements, and production safety requirements. Establish a unified and standardized management system, strengthen departmental collaboration, strictly implement relevant approval and decision-making procedures, and resolutely prevent illegal dumping in the name of large-scale consumption and utilization.

6. Implement special rectification in key areas

(12) Carry out special remediation of illegal dumping and disposal of solid waste. Deeply investigate illegal dumping and disposal of solid waste in key regions, detect problems in a timely manner, and rectify them one by one within a limited period of time. Strictly investigate and punish offending units and individuals according to law and regulations, and break the black chain of interests.

(13) Carry out special remediation of hidden environmental pollution hazards in domestic waste landfills. Systematically map out hidden environmental pollution hazards in domestic waste landfills and establish accounts to rectify problems. Expedite the formulation of technical requirements for rectification, and carry out “one policy at a time” to carry out special rectification. In principle, all landfills that were decommissioned before the end of 2024 will be closed down by 2027, except for plans for subsequent use.

(14) Further promote special remediation of construction waste. Accelerate the planning and construction of construction waste utilization and disposal facilities. Deeply investigate illegal and illegal issues in all aspects of construction waste generation, collection, storage, transportation, utilization, and disposal. Strengthen the normalization of joint law enforcement and punishment across departments, clear channels such as information sharing and case transfer, and investigate and punish a number of typical cases strictly and expeditiously in accordance with the law.

(15) Carry out special remediation of solid waste storage sites left over from history. Find out the environmental management situation of large industrial solid waste storage sites across the country. Conduct environmental risk investigations and assessments, and further promote the investigation and rectification of hidden environmental safety hazards involving heavy metal mines, tailings depots, piles (slag) sites, and hazardous waste landfills. By 2030, the treatment of more than 60% of the country's historic solid waste storage sites will be completed, and the remediation of hidden environmental risks in red clay depots and tailings depots will be fully completed.

(16) Further promote comprehensive management of phosphogypsum. “One bank, one policy” promotes the investigation and rectification of hidden environmental risks in phosphogypsum depots. Strengthen environmental management in the storage, transportation and utilization of phosphogypsum, strictly implement technical specifications for the use and harmless storage pollution control of phosphogypsum, and seriously investigate and punish environmental violations related to phosphogypsum in accordance with law. By 2027, Yunnan, Hubei, Guizhou, Sichuan, Anhui, Chongqing and other regions will complete the remediation of phosphogypsum stocks.

7. Strict supervision and law enforcement inspection throughout the process

(17) Improve information-based supervision capabilities. Strengthen informatization supervision throughout the life cycle of solid waste, strengthen automatic monitoring of domestic waste incineration treatment, solid waste landfill, hazardous waste incineration and collaborative disposal of industrial kilns in accordance with the law, and promote real-time dynamic monitoring of the entire hazardous waste process. Promote enterprises to upgrade digital intelligent monitoring equipment.

(18) Strengthen environmental law enforcement and inspection. Strictly implement laws and regulations relating to solid waste pollution prevention and control, and strengthen supervision of the entire chain from production to disposal. Strictly crack down on environmental offenses and criminal acts of solid waste, investigate responsibility according to law and regulations, and strengthen the punishment of illegal acts with obvious subjective malice and serious environmental harm, such as setting up private concealed pipes to steal. The Department of Ecology and Environment lists and supervises cases causing serious ecological damage and environmental pollution. Continue to carry out “waste clean-up operations” in key regions. Establish and improve joint supervision and enforcement mechanisms across departments and regions, and step up the crackdown on illegal dumping of solid waste across provinces. Include outstanding ecological and environmental issues such as illegal disposal of solid waste in ecological environment protection inspections.

8. Improve regulatory standards and technical systems

(19) Improve the system of laws, regulations, and systems. Promote the codification of the Ecological Environment Code and the revision of the Circular Economy Promotion Law. Promote sewage units to disclose environmental information on industrial solid waste in accordance with the law and include it in environmental credit evaluations. Revise regulations on recycling of waste electrical and electronic products, hazardous waste business licenses, construction waste, etc. Accelerate the introduction of management measures for the comprehensive utilization of power batteries for new energy vehicles. Improve the statistical survey system for bulk solid waste and renewable resources, etc., and improve the circular economy statistics system and evaluation system.

(20) Play the leading role of standards. Revise the industrial restructuring guidance catalogue and increase the restrictions and elimination of backward process equipment. The classification system revises solid waste pollution control standards, improves technology and product quality standards for the resource utilization of solid waste such as construction waste, and clarifies criteria for determining recycled raw materials and solid waste. Actively participate in the revision of international standards for solid waste management and strengthen the international interface between standards and certification systems.

(21) Strengthen support for scientific and technological innovation. Strengthen research and development of key technologies for solid waste recycling and heavy metal pollution control, and carry out research on major technical equipment for resource recycling. Formulate a catalogue of ecological and environmental technology guidance. Revise the catalogue of advanced and applicable process technology and equipment for comprehensive utilization of mineral resources, industrial resources, etc.

IX. Strengthening policy guarantees

(22) Strengthen land use guarantees. Scientifically plan solid waste backfill mine pit projects. Include projects such as household waste sorting, collection, transit storage, etc. in the scope of land use guarantee for public infrastructure. All regions have strengthened land use guarantees for resource recycling projects, and allocated no less than 1% of industrial land to support the construction of resource recycling facilities.

(23) Strengthen investment fiscal and financial policy support. Make good use of all kinds of funds at all levels, support the construction of eligible comprehensive solid waste treatment and resource recycling projects, and make up for shortcomings in facilities and equipment such as harmless storage, transportation, and disposal of solid waste as soon as possible. Vigorously develop green finance and guide financial institutions and social capital to increase investment. Improve the policy implementation standards for environmental protection taxes on solid waste, and guide business entities to strengthen recycling and harmless disposal. Promote the practice of “reverse invoicing” by resource recycling companies to sellers of end-of-life products from natural persons. Establish a scientific and reasonable pricing mechanism, guide relevant enterprises to increase investment in research and development of comprehensive solid waste treatment technology, form a sustainable business model, and use market power to promote the development of a circular economy.

(24) Improve the charging system. Implement a garbage disposal fee system, and rationally formulate and adjust garbage disposal fee standards. Support local authorities to improve charging models and explore differentiated domestic waste disposal fee systems in line with the garbage sorting situation. Promote metered charges for food waste disposal for non-residents.

10. Strengthen implementation guarantees

(25) Strengthen organizational leadership. Under the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, all relevant departments in all regions are carrying out implementation in line with actual practice. Local governments at all levels effectively carry out their main responsibilities, improve work systems, refine target tasks, and ensure effective implementation. Strictly regulate administrative inspections involving enterprises. The National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment strengthen coordination to promote the implementation of the various tasks of this action plan and evaluate progress results in a timely manner. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment strengthens unified supervision and management, accelerates the construction of “waste-free cities”, and promotes the implementation of a responsibility system and assessment and evaluation system for environmental pollution prevention targets by solid waste. All relevant departments implement key tasks in accordance with the division of responsibilities, and form joint efforts. Clarify the boundaries of responsibility between the government and enterprises, adhere to “who pollutes and who treats”, and consolidate the prevention and control responsibilities of solid waste polluters. Request reports on important matters in a timely manner in accordance with the procedures.

(26) Deepen publicity and guidance and international cooperation. Integrate circular economy knowledge and the concept of “no waste” into relevant education and training systems. In conjunction with activities such as National Ecology Day, National Energy Conservation Awareness Week, and June 5th Environment Day, various forms of publicity and education are carried out to promote advanced experiences and practices, and a good atmosphere is formed for the whole society to participate. Deepen multilateral and bilateral international cooperation, strengthen implementation of international conventions, and promote the formation of more practical results.

This article was selected from the “Official Website of the Central People's Government of China”, Zhitong Finance Editor: Xu Wenqiang.