Preface

In recent years, rapid economic and social development has increased the consumption of natural resources and the generation of solid waste, and the contradiction between economic development and environmental resources has become increasingly complex. The circular economy is a general term for the reduction, reuse and recycling activities carried out in the process of production, distribution, and consumption. It is a new economic development model that provides a new way of thinking to solve the contradiction between resources and the environment, and economic growth. The specific practice of the circular economy started in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 2016, the United Nations marked a comprehensive stage in its development and practice with the implementation of the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. Many new meaningful and systematic practices were introduced, and the various SDG policy measures provide a reference for China to enhance the level and capacity of its solid waste management through the development of the circular economy. The core of the theory of the circular economy, and the key to the achievement of environmental goals, is to turn waste into resources. The main recycling routes for waste worldwide can be broadly categorized as biological treatment, material recycling, incineration and power generation, and landfill. In order to achieve the goal of sustainable waste development, we must take a number of measures and policies to stimulate and promote development.

1. Strengthen top-level design and continuously promote reduction, recycling, and non-hazardousness

In solid waste management, we should systematically assess the applicability of existing national and local systems, and review the effectiveness of mechanisms, the operability of models, and the compatibility of standards and management policies, in accordance with the Law on the Prevention and Control of Solid Waste Pollution, the Law on the Promotion of Cleaner Production, and the Law on the Promotion of the Circular Economy. The prevention and control of solid waste pollution, in order to establish "waste-free cities", requires us to gradually promote the transformation from end-of-pipe treatment to front-end ecological design and green manufacturing, systematically and continuously promoting the reduction, resourceful use, and harmless disposal of solid waste.

2. Improve the indicator system and establish an indicator monitoring system

Dynamic monitoring data are needed for key categories of solid waste such as domestic waste, plastic packaging, electronic waste, biomass waste, and construction waste. These can be adjusted dynamically to include relevant indicators that more scientifically and rationally reflect the reduction, resourcefulness, and harmlessness of solid waste, and to achieve tracking and monitoring of solid waste generation, utilization, and disposal. Key data measurement methods based on material flow analysis should

be established to monitor typical national and regional resource utilization in terms of input, use, recycling, and emissions. This indicator system can both reflect progress in the reduction, resourcefulness, and non-hazardousness of solid waste, and also be used to forecast future solid waste generation.

The sustainable waste management goals remain a long way off. The key to their achievement lies in the construction of a complete and systematic resource cycle system; only through this approach can we truly be seen to be practicing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

> **Tao Zhang** China Agricultural University, Beijing, China

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Section 1

Introduction

Section 1 Introduction
