China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment Releases "Guidelines for Environmental Management of General Industrial Solid Waste (2026 Edition)" Author: Waste Plastics New Observer

Core Objectives

The guidelines are designed to guide waste-generating units in establishing and improving a whole-process pollution prevention and control responsibility system, covering generation, collection, storage, transportation, utilization, and disposal. The overarching goals are to reduce the volume of solid waste generated, promote comprehensive utilization, and minimize its potential hazards.

Scope of Application

These guidelines apply to ecological environment authorities in guiding waste-generating units to carry out environmental management of general industrial solid waste. They may also serve as a reference for the management of entities involved in the collection, storage, transportation, utilization, and disposal of general industrial solid waste.

Four Key Management Points

1. Implementing Primary Responsibility: Waste-generating units are required to establish a whole-process pollution prevention and control responsibility system. They must standardize the establishment of environmental management ledgers for general industrial solid waste (electronic ledgers are encouraged) to strengthen tracking and control throughout the process. Unauthorized dumping, piling, discarding, or scattering of solid waste is strictly prohibited.

2. Emphasizing Source Management: The types, quantities, utilization, and disposal methods of solid waste must be clearly specified in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) documents of construction projects. Accuracy in information reporting for pollution discharge permits and execution reports must be improved. Cleaner production audits must be implemented according to the law, with outdated processes and equipment phased out within deadlines. Solid waste should be managed by classification based on pollution characteristics to prevent contamination.

3. Standardizing Transfer Management: When waste-generating units entrust others with transportation, utilization, or disposal, they must verify the trustee's qualifications and technical capabilities. Cross-regional transfers for storage or disposal require fulfilling approval procedures according to law. Where sub-entrustment is involved, relevant obligations under the Civil Code must be fulfilled.

4. Strengthening Utilization and Disposal Management: Waste-generating units should utilize solid waste in accordance with laws and regulations to reduce storage and landfill volumes. Utilization and disposal activities must comply with environmental protection standards and norms. Units are encouraged to follow the procedure of scientific demonstration, establishing norms, proactive disclosure, whole-process supervision to carry out large-scale assimilation and utilization.