We can sort out the problem by sorting out the garbage
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Incinerating garbage to generate power is also generating serious public concerns about the environmental damage caused by burning materials that release toxins.
It's time to promote classification and sorting of garbage so that incineration does not harm people or the environment. Unfortunately, China lags far behind developed countries in the sorting and recycling of refuse.
On October 25, many residents in the densely populated Panyu District of Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, protested against the planned construction of a garbage incineration power plant in the district, the Nanfang Daily reported the next day.
On October 21, many residents in Pingwang Town of Wujiang City, Jiangsu Province, protested against the construction of similar facility in the town (near Taihu Lake), the Nanfang Daily reported on November 2.
People were afraid - with ample reason - that the incineration of garbage would produce serious pollution, particularly dioxins, which are known to be carcinogens.
The good news is that some local governments, including those in Guangzhou and Wujiang, have agreed to either reevaluate or relocate the plants.
However, it doesn't make economic sense if garbage incineration power plants are situated far from the cities, which are the major garbage producers.
A better solution would be to reduce garbage incineration, which has been proved technologically feasible many developed countries.
In the US, for example, the number of medical-waste garbage incineration power plants has been reduced from 6,200 in 1988 to 57 in 2008.
Meanwhile, Japan has also reduced its number of garbage incineration power plants from over 6,000 to 1,280, Southern Metropolis Daily reported on November 11.
The premise for reducing the garbage for incineration is strict garbage classification - sorting garbage into different categories according to their environmental impacts.
With recyclable garbage being recycled, and toxic garbage being properly treated, the amount of garbage remaining for incineration can be greatly reduced.
Furthermore, the refuse that is incinerated will be much less toxic.
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