In recent years, illegal dumping and disposal of solid waste have occurred repeatedly in several regions, drawing widespread public attention. To comprehensively advance the construction of a Beautiful China, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, jointly with the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Water Resources, recently launched a nationwide special campaign targeting illegal dumping and improper disposal of solid waste—after receiving approval from the State Council. The initiative aims to effectively curb the frequent and widespread occurrence of such practices across the country within about three years. Given the campaign’s broad scope, it will require coordinated efforts and collaborative management at all levels and across various departments. Moreover, it calls for understanding, support, and active participation from society as a whole, along with robust, comprehensive oversight.

Deeply understand

The significant importance of launching a targeted campaign

01

Illegally dumping and disposing of solid waste not only pollutes the environment, damages ecosystems, and encroaches upon farmland, forestland, and grassland resources, but also easily triggers the "broken windows effect," inadvertently creating a breeding ground for the disposal of toxic, hazardous, and even dangerous wastes—leading to even more severe pollution that urgently requires strict enforcement and remediation.

Conducting this targeted campaign is a political imperative for thoroughly implementing Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization. General Secretary Xi Jinping has placed great emphasis on addressing the issue of illegal dumping and disposal of solid waste, issuing important instructions on multiple occasions. We must deeply embrace Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization, fully recognize the critical importance and urgency of tackling illegal solid-waste disposal head-on, and genuinely strengthen our commitment—both in mindset and action—to carry out this special cleanup effort effectively.

Conducting targeted remediation efforts is an essential requirement for deepening our fight against pollution. As significant progress has been made in tackling air, water, and soil pollution, the shortcomings in solid waste management have become even more apparent—particularly the persistent issue of illegal dumping and improper disposal of solid waste. We must align ourselves with the goals and tasks outlined in the "Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Fully Promoting the Construction of a Beautiful China," strengthening comprehensive governance of solid waste and firmly committing to addressing entrenched problems such as illegal dumping and disposal. Only then can we move toward the vision of building "waste-free urban and rural areas."

Conducting targeted remediation efforts is a crucial step in actively addressing public concerns. In recent years, the illegal dumping and disposal of solid waste have drawn widespread public attention, with strong reactions from communities. We must remain steadfastly committed to a people-centered development philosophy, placing the public's desire for a clean and healthy environment at the heart of our work—both as our starting point and ultimate goal. By staying firmly problem-oriented and maintaining a high level of vigilance, we can effectively tackle the issue of illegal solid-waste dumping, delivering tangible results that meet the expectations of the people, while continuously enhancing their sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security.

Accurately grasp the purpose of the rectification.

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Launch a nationwide special campaign to address the illegal disposal and handling of solid waste, aiming to achieve at least the following objectives.

First, we will push for the resolution of a number of prominent issues related to the illegal dumping and disposal of solid waste. Through comprehensive inspections and remediation efforts, a batch of illegally dumped solid wastes has been promptly cleaned up or properly handled, effectively eliminating pollution risks—and especially addressing the most pressing concerns raised by local residents. At the same time, swift action against all forms of illegal dumping, disposal of solid waste, as well as unauthorized dismantling of scrapped motor vehicles and discarded electrical and electronic products, will promote the efficient recovery and high-value utilization of recycled resources, while preventing environmentally harmful, illegal dismantling practices.

Second, it compels local authorities to fulfill their regulatory responsibilities. Illegal dumping of solid waste is easy to carry out but difficult to clean up and properly dispose of. For instance, in a certain area in eastern China, more than 20,000 tons of dyeing and printing sludge, along with small amounts of construction and domestic waste, were illegally buried in local ponds and pits. After being reported by local residents, the local government mobilized resources to thoroughly clean up and safely manage not only the dumped waste but also the contaminated soil—totaling 110,000 tons—and spent over 30 million yuan on the operation. Unfortunately, some rural areas still fail to prioritize addressing illegal solid waste dumping, and in certain cases, grassroots officials even turn a blind eye—or actively approve—such practices for personal gain. By launching targeted crackdowns to promptly investigate and punish violations, authorities can effectively enforce accountability, compelling local governments to fulfill their regulatory duties. This approach will ultimately prevent the heavy economic burdens that often arise from tackling the aftermath of illegal waste disposal.

Third, it will create a strong deterrent against illegal dumping and disposal activities. The targeted campaign not only urges entities and individuals generating solid waste to fulfill their primary responsibilities but also encourages broad public participation by motivating citizens to report clues about illegal dumping and improper disposal of solid waste in their communities. This approach helps establish a robust network of social oversight, effectively deterring illegal activities related to solid waste disposal.

Solidly carry out targeted rectification efforts

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The special rectification campaign should adhere to the working approach of conducting thorough inspections, making proper improvements, and enforcing strict crackdowns.

First, accurately identify the key areas for improvement. The special rectification campaign focuses on addressing the illegal dumping and landfilling of hazardous waste, industrial solid waste, construction debris, and municipal garbage—essentially all types of solid waste—as well as the unlawful dismantling and disposal of scrapped motor vehicles, discarded electrical and electronic products, retired new-energy equipment, and end-of-life power batteries, among other discarded devices and consumer goods. The scope of the campaign is concentrated in areas characterized by complex road networks, urban-rural interfaces, demolished or redeveloped sites, and administrative boundary zones—commonly referred to as the "three-border regions," such as areas along mountainsides, waterways, and riverbanks. Additionally, the initiative targets remote and ecologically sensitive areas, including rivers, lakes, barren lands, pits, quarries, mine shafts, natural reserves, and forested regions where human activity is minimal or absent.

Second, strictly identify and address the issues. By the end of 2025, all regions must complete a thorough investigation into illegally dumped solid waste, establishing detailed records that include the types of issues identified, their geographic coordinates, the scale of the solid waste involved, and the extent of contamination. For each identified problem, specific corrective measures should be developed promptly—particularly for issues requiring immediate action or posing significant pollution risks, which must be tackled without delay. Additionally, a regular monitoring and oversight mechanism should be put in place to track the progress of addressing these issues. By the end of 2026, efforts should ensure that over 90% of the identified problems have been successfully resolved. By the end of 2027, all regions are required to conduct comprehensive "follow-up reviews" of the remediation efforts, re-evaluating both completed projects and those still underway. This process will verify the effectiveness of implemented measures, ensuring that all corrective actions are fully carried out. For cases where remediation remains incomplete or where pollution has resurfaced, immediate follow-up actions must be initiated to address these issues swiftly, leaving no room for recurrence.

Third, we will severely crack down on illegal activities. Local areas should promptly investigate and address, in accordance with the law, waste-generating and transportation entities involved in the illegal dumping and landfilling of solid waste. Individual ), strictly address the "local operators" responsible for illegal dumping sites, and resolutely sever the "dark" profit chains. Departments such as ecological environment, environmental sanitation, transportation, natural resources, and water conservancy should, in accordance with their respective responsibilities, promptly and rigorously investigate and handle illegal activities involving the unauthorized disposal of solid waste, while proactively strengthening coordination between administrative law enforcement and criminal justice systems. If criminal offenses are suspected, cases must be promptly referred to public security authorities. At the same time, local authorities should enhance collaboration with judicial bodies—including public security agencies, procuratorates, and courts—to provide robust technical support, such as forensic analysis and expert assessments, ensuring that no cases are left unaddressed or improperly handled through mere fines instead of criminal prosecution. Furthermore, all regions should focus on cracking down on high-profile, large-scale cases of illegal solid waste disposal, intensifying public awareness campaigns to create a strong deterrent effect. For instances of illegal dumping that result in environmental pollution or ecological damage, legal measures should be swiftly initiated—whether through environmental damage compensation claims or by filing public interest lawsuits via the procuratorate—working together to maintain sustained pressure and send a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated.

Employ multiple measures to enhance effectiveness.

04

Specialized rectification efforts should innovate in their methods and approaches, adhering to a strategy that addresses both symptoms and root causes while combining prevention with effective solutions—employing multiple measures to enhance overall impact.

First, innovate the methods for detection and investigation. Local areas should leverage advanced technologies such as satellite remote sensing and drone inspections to conduct thorough investigations. By adopting a "remote sensing + artificial intelligence" approach, they can establish a rapid identification and detection system for illegal solid waste dumping. Additionally, by incorporating more sophisticated algorithms, the AI system will be better equipped to pinpoint issues efficiently, further enhancing the overall effectiveness of problem detection.

Second, streamline the channels for collecting leads. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has established a nationwide public hotline on its portal website for gathering leads on environmental pollution issues. Local authorities should set up dedicated columns on their own portals to collect tips about illegal dumping and improper disposal of solid waste that harm the environment. They should also publicly announce phone numbers and email addresses where members of the public can submit their leads, encouraging citizens to report concerns easily—such as by snapping photos on the spot. Additionally, local authorities are advised to gather more leads through various channels, including volunteer organizations, industry associations, and real-time monitoring of public opinion.

Third, strengthen regional joint prevention and control. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, the Chengdu-Chongqing area, and other qualified inter-provincial regions should strengthen joint prevention and control efforts, stepping up inspections and remediation of illegal cross-regional disposal of solid waste. At the same time, enhance regional coordination to promote the establishment of unified local administrative penalty standards across these areas. Regarding criminal activities involving the illegal transfer, dumping, or disposal of solid waste across provincial borders, deepen inter-regional police cooperation, bolster collaborative efforts, and ensure comprehensive, multi-faceted, and end-to-end crackdowns on such offenses.

Fourth, we will advance the establishment of a long-term mechanism. Local areas should thoroughly analyze the root causes of the problem, starting with the very first stage where solid waste is generated. They should strengthen standardized management, promote the establishment of a scientific and rational pricing mechanism, and encourage solid waste producers to proactively increase investment in treatment efforts while reducing the overall volume of waste generated. Actively advance the development of infrastructure for solid waste utilization and disposal, addressing existing gaps in waste management facilities. Simultaneously, remove policy bottlenecks and expand channels for waste recycling and disposal. Finally, ensure that every stage of solid waste—from generation and transportation to final disposal—is fully integrated into regulatory oversight, enabling timely detection of illegal dumping activities and other emerging issues.

The author is the Director-General of the Department of Solid Waste and Chemicals at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

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Edited and Layouted by: Wang Xin

Review: Management Committee