China Environ Prot (EP) Industry, Technology, Solid Waste Mgt, Liquid Treat: News & Discussions

[ahojunk]

Yes, this has been confirmed by western scientists. The forest area of China is increasing a little bit each year.

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China makes headway in reversing desertification
2016-06-19 08:50 | Xinhua | Editor: Feng Shuang

China has effectively contained desertification, with desert land area shrinking continuously over the past decade, according to the State Forestry Administration.

The area of formerly productive land degrading into deserts has been contracting at an annual average of 2,424 square km for over 10 consecutive years, said Zhang Jianlong, head of the administration.

That was in contrast to an annual expansion of 10,400 square km in the late 1990s, Zhang told a forum on Friday.

Zhang Yongli, deputy head of the administration, called the reverse of the trend a major transformation, but warned that the task ahead is not yet over.

Expanding deserts are a global problem. It is estimated that one-third of the earth is exposed to desertification, affecting millions of people worldwide.

China has spent decades curbing desertification through greening.

The country plans to rehabilitate 10 million hectares of desertified land in the next five years, turning more than half of the country's reclaimable deserts into green land by 2020.

Those who destroy the vegetation on desert land will be punished, and compensation mechanisms will be established to reward localities working toward combating desertification, according to the administration.

 

[ahojunk]

Wow! A developing country helping other developing countries.

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China holds solar energy training for tropical countries
2016-06-19 08:59 | Xinhua | Editor: Feng Shuang

China has organized a solar energy training course for developing countries in tropical and subtropical regions.

Twenty people from eight countries and regions, including Ghana, Rwanda, Nepal and Kenya, began the course, which started Friday in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province.

Sponsored by China's Ministry of Commerce and run by Gansu Natural Energy Research Institute, the training will focus on the technology of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar water heaters, solar building and solar desalination.

The 28-day course will include lectures, technical exchanges, economic and trade talks and on-site practice, according to An Xingcai, deputy director of the institute.

Nana Sarfo Agyemang, an official with the Ministry of Power of Ghana, said tropical areas have abundant solar energy potential, and China will help these areas make better use of the energy with its advanced renewable energy technology.

"With China being one of the leaders in renewable energies, we find it most beneficial to learn from her experiences," said Marcellin Mupenzi, a senior executive of an energy development company in Rwanda.

China's PV installation capacity amounted to 43.18 gigawatt by the end of last year, the largest in the world, with Gansu and Xinjiang in the northwest as the leading solar power generation base.

 

[TaiShang]

China saves 1.57B tons of coal equivalent in last 10 years
CRIENGLISH.com, June 20, 2016

China has made remarkable achievements in energy saving and emission reduction in the past ten years, and the efficiency of energy use has significantly improved, according to remarks made at an industrial-themed conference.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the remarks were made at a high-level conference with the theme, "Industrial innovation and its coordinated development in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei regions" in Tangshan of north China's Hebei province on Sunday.

According to information released by the conference, China saved 1.57 billion tons of coal equivalent between 2005 to 2015, which is the equivalent of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 3.6 billion tons.

The proportion of coal consumption in China's energy portfolio has declined from 72 percent to 64 percent, while non-fossil fuel use has soared from 7.4 percent to 12 percent.

China's construction and transportation industries have also seen an obvious improvement in energy savings. As of 2014, up to 10.5 billion square meters of energy-saving buildings have been constructed in urban areas, accounting for 38 percent of the country's overall civil construction, while China's new-energy vehicle production has seen a forty-five fold growth.

In non-fossil fuel development, China's renewable energy sector made up 25.4 percent of the world's total installed capacity in 2014, with hydropower capacity increasing 1.7 times, wind power capacity up 100.8 times and solar power capacity up 615 times, compared with 2005.

 

[ahojunk]

Lately, western media isn't interested in environmental news of China. Previously, we regularly hear of pollution news, the number of coal power stations, the rising CO2 caused by China, etc., but lately not so much. Is it because there are not so much sensational bad environmental news in China anymore?

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China makes headway in reversing desertification
2016-06-19 08:50 | Xinhua | Editor: Feng Shuang

China has effectively contained desertification, with desert land area shrinking continuously over the past decade, according to the State Forestry Administration.

The area of formerly productive land degrading into deserts has been contracting at an annual average of 2,424 square km for over 10 consecutive years, said Zhang Jianlong, head of the administration.

That was in contrast to an annual expansion of 10,400 square km in the late 1990s, Zhang told a forum on Friday.

Zhang Yongli, deputy head of the administration, called the reverse of the trend a major transformation, but warned that the task ahead is not yet over.

Expanding deserts are a global problem. It is estimated that one-third of the earth is exposed to desertification, affecting millions of people worldwide.

China has spent decades curbing desertification through greening.

The country plans to rehabilitate 10 million hectares of desertified land in the next five years, turning more than half of the country's reclaimable deserts into green land by 2020.

Those who destroy the vegetation on desert land will be punished, and compensation mechanisms will be established to reward localities working toward combating desertification, according to the administration.

 

[greenwood]

Lately, western media isn't interested in environmental news of China. Previously, we regularly hear of pollution news, the number of coal power stations, the rising CO2 caused by China, etc., but lately not so much. Is it because there were not so much sensational bad environmental news in China anymore?

--------
China makes headway in reversing desertification
2016-06-19 08:50 | Xinhua | Editor: Feng Shuang

China has effectively contained desertification, with desert land area shrinking continuously over the past decade, according to the State Forestry Administration.

The area of formerly productive land degrading into deserts has been contracting at an annual average of 2,424 square km for over 10 consecutive years, said Zhang Jianlong, head of the administration.

That was in contrast to an annual expansion of 10,400 square km in the late 1990s, Zhang told a forum on Friday.

Zhang Yongli, deputy head of the administration, called the reverse of the trend a major transformation, but warned that the task ahead is not yet over.

Expanding deserts are a global problem. It is estimated that one-third of the earth is exposed to desertification, affecting millions of people worldwide.

China has spent decades curbing desertification through greening.

The country plans to rehabilitate 10 million hectares of desertified land in the next five years, turning more than half of the country's reclaimable deserts into green land by 2020.

Those who destroy the vegetation on desert land will be punished, and compensation mechanisms will be established to reward localities working toward combating desertification, according to the administration.

In China we have an interesting debate or historical mystery.
Who caused the sands and Gobi desert in northen China and southern Mongolia:
Is it Han cropland reclamation and irrigation system caused or Mogolian overstocking caused it?

 

[ahojunk]

China sees environmental progress in Tibet
Editor: Zhang Jianfeng 丨Xinhua
07-05-2016 22:09 BJT

LHASA, July 5 (Xinhua) -- By the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, about 1000 residents are busy planting trees.

"It was very dusty and windy here a decade ago," said 61-year-old Tseten, sweat on his forehead. "Neither people nor animals came out here."

There are fewer bad days now, perhaps thanks to the trees, he said.

"You can see foxes and rabbits here now," he added.

In Tibet, more trees are being planted, wild animals are better protected and polluting industries have been closed down. The environment is top of the agenda at the ongoing Forum on the Development of Tibet 2016.

In Tseten's hometown, Xigaze, once where sandstorms frequently struck, herdsmen have planted about 1,200 hectares of forest in the past two years, with about 550 ha more to be completed this year, according to Tsering Dondrup of the local forestry bureau.

Environmental campaigns near Tibet's six major rivers have seen pastures returned to forests and desertification stopped in its tracks .

In the Shannan section of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, for instance, forests are increasing at an annual speed of 5.25 cubic meters per ha.

According to a 2014 national survey, Tibet ranked first in terms of forest area and forest stock.

Wildlife protection is also much improved. At Changtang National Nature Reserve in northern Tibet, hundreds of thousands of Tibetan antelope wander.

"Tibetan antelopes are usually very shy. They run away at the sight of human beings," said Tsewang Norbu, a ranger at the reserve. "But instead of running away, they now stop and stare at me each time I approach them on my motorcycle."

In Tibet, 125 species have state protection, about one third of the national total. Tibetan antelope, wild ***, wild yak, and even snow leopard are increasingly sighted in Tibet.

In the past 20 years, the number of Tibetan antelopes has risen from about 40,000 to almost 200,000, while the wild *** population has risen almost three-fold in the same period.

More wildlife brings trouble for some residents. In February, a Xigaze resident claimed to have been "robbed" by 10 northern plains gray langur.

"They know that we will not hurt them, so they often come to steal food in our village, particularly during Winters and Spring," said Gyezang."This year they stole my potatoes and carrots, though government subsidies helped cover my losses."

Authorities planning to spend 15.5 billion yuan (2.3 billion U.S. dollars) to guarantee "blue skies and clean water."

"Environmental protection is our bottom line when it comes to economic development," said Losang Gyaltsen, the regional Party chairman.

Tibet has also banned expansions of industries like steel, chemicals and paper, with existing companies shut down or told to transform, according to Zhuang Hongxiang, deputy head of the regional environmental protection department.

 

[ahojunk]

Good news is there is a decrease in carbon dioxide emission and reduction in coal usage.
Looks like China is transitioning from manufacturing to services.
There is 20.9% growth in renewable energy - excellent!

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Chinese energy consumption growth at 17-year low: report
2016-07-08 06:17 | Xinhua | Editor: Gu Liping

China's energy consumption last year grew at its slowest pace since 1998 and its carbon dioxide emissions also posted a first negative growth in 17 years, according to an industry report released on Thursday.

Chinese energy consumption only grew 1.5 percent in 2015 year on year, the lowest growth in 17 years, while remaining the world's largest growth market for the 15th consecutive year, showed BP Statistical Review of World Energy, the global energy giant's annual report.

The world's largest energy consumer, producer and net importer saw its carbon dioxide emissions falling by 0.1 percent in 2015 year on year, with coal consumption dropping to 64 percent of primary energy consumption. China surpassed Germany and the United States to become the world's largest solar energy producer.

Meanwhile, China's coal output fell 2 percent year on year, while natural gas and oil output rose by 4.8 percent and 1.5 percent year on year.

Renewable energy has been growing fast in China. It grew 20.9 percent year on year in 2015, amounting to about 17 percent of the global total. Solar energy grew fastest, followed by nuclear energy and wind power, the report showed.

 

[TaiShang]

Good news is there is a decrease in carbon dioxide emission and reduction in coal usage.
Looks like China is transitioning from manufacturing to services.
There is 20.9% growth in renewable energy - excellent!

The decoupling from coal corresponds with the increase in natural gas consumption. This will become even more visible from 2018 under the 400-billion gas deal with Russia.

Renewables' share in China energy production is still little more than 1%, it should grow further, but, given China's level of consumption, reliance on carbon-resources will continue for at least three more decades.

***

About the declining energy use, it is also because of increasing efficiency (GDP per unit produces for a unit of energy) and loss prevention.

 

[ahojunk]

These sponge cities...... interesting concept.

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Urban flooding pushes 'sponge city' construction
2016-07-08 09:22 | Xinhua | Editor: Gu Liping

A subway station floods after rain in Wuhan City, the capital of Central China's Hubei Province, July 6, 2016. Several stations in the city's metro line were closed following the ********. The city has issued a red alert due to the rainstorm, the highest in China's four-color warning system. (Photo provided to China News Service)


China wrestles with the dual challenges of water scarcity and urban flooding -- problems that have been magnified by this summer's heavy rainfall.

To address the flooding, the country is building "sponge cities" to absorb excess water through upgraded sewer systems, filtration pools, wetlands, and permeable public spaces.

Pingxiang City in east China's Jiangxi Province was chosen by the central government as one of 16 pilot cities for the "sponge city" project in April 2015.

On June 14, the city experienced one of its heaviest rainfall of this year, putting its new "sponge" facilities to the test.

The city's Jinluofeng Park was once among the spots more vulnerable to flooding. After the recent rain, however, the park was free from water-logging thanks to water-permeable bricks installed in the ground.

Mr. Li lives nearby and visits the park on a daily basis for exercise. "The park would be covered in ankle-deep water whenever there was a big rain," he said. "Now I can come here to exercise as long as the rain has stopped."

Lai Qing, deputy director of the city's sponge city construction office, said the city has invested about 2.19 billion yuan (327.7 million U. S. dollars) in 24 pilot programs over the past year.

The city also plans to connect its natural filtration facilities, such as creeks, pools and lakes, to build a sponge system to manage and purify rainwater, he said.

Another of the pilot cities, Nanning in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is already seeing benefits from the project.

During past rainy seasons, the city's Binhu Square was drenched in water, and the flooding blocked off a major section of the city center.

A project completed last year replaced the square's granite surfaces with a permeable, sandy material, and the square now absorbs, purifies and collects water, which can used to irrigate local vegetation, said Gan Linyi, an employee with the square's management department.

According to a timetable released by the Chinese government in October 2015, 20 percent of China's cities should have modern sewer systems and infrastructure allowing efficient rainwater absorption by 2020, with the number rising to 80 percent by 2030.

Experts said rapid urbanization has led to obstacles.

Li Chuanming, an official with the drainage department of Hefei City in Anhui Province, said that, ideally, 80 percent of rainwater would be absorbed by the ground, with the other 20 percent drained through the sewers.

In reality, the ratio in most Chinese cities is reversed, as much of the surface is covered in non-permeable concrete and asphalt, he said.

Mr. Wang, an engineer with the water conservation bureau of Anqing City, Anhui Province, said since cities are already designed and built, improving sewer systems, increasing green space and creating permeable road surfaces would come at a huge cost.

"It is important for governments to attract private capital for the project," he said, adding that cities should integrate the program with urban planning and make sure new development does not stand in the way of building sponge facilities.

 

[Jlaw]

In China we have an interesting debate or historical mystery.
Who caused the sands and Gobi desert in northen China and southern Mongolia:
Is it Han cropland reclamation and irrigation system caused or Mogolian overstocking caused it?

You mean overgrazing? Yes, the nomads with their herds of domestic animals can cause desertification. Perhpaps it's time to divert more water from the south to the north?

 

[TaiShang]

New transportation plan promises faster, greener Beijing
Xinhua, July 8, 2016


In the Beijing of 2020, downtown residents won't need to walk more than ten minutes to reach a subway station and pedestrians will breathe in less car exhaust thanks to green vehicles.

At least, that is the vision presented in a blueprint released by Beijing transportation authorities on Monday, which maps out the capital's transportation development for the next five years.X By 2020, the megacity of over 21 million people will extend its 554-km urban rail network to more than 900 km.

Buses will run faster thanks to a 1,000-km bus lane network, and the proportion of new energy buses will exceed 65 percent by 2020.

The city will also encourage bicycling as a greener way to commute, with 3,200 km of bike lanes and at least 100,000 bicycles for rent, according to the plan.

The plan calls for some roads linking Beijing to neighboring Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province to be integrated into the public transportation system, allowing commuters to travel between the three regions with a single public transportation card.

Beijing will improve the road network in its eastern suburb of Tongzhou, which serves as a "subsidiary administrative center," and improve road conditions in rural districts. Beijing announced last July that it would move some of its city administration out of the city center to Tongzhou District by 2017.

During the next five years, the city also expects cleaner air as infrastructure for new energy cars is upgraded and incentive policies for green automobiles expand.

An Zhiqiang, an official with the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport, said the plan was created to address the "urban ills" of Beijing, and is expected to relieve problems such as traffic jams and inadequate public transportation.

In recent years, Beijing has taken multiple measures to make itself a more livable city with a greener environment and more convenient transportation.

The city plans to move 15 percent of its population out of the city center and keep the total population below 23 million.

Beijing has made painstaking efforts over the past two years to fight smog, including reducing coal consumption, limiting automobiles use, and controlling dust from construction sites.

During the first five months of this year, the density of PM2.5 particles, a major contributor to pollution, was reduced 19.3 percent year on year. The city had 96 days of sound air quality during the first five months, 21 days more than in the same period last year.

Lu Yan, director of the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, said it is important to clarify the functions for Beijing's different areas in order to treat the city's urban troubles.

For example, while lowering population density in the city center, the government should also enhance the center's function in political activities, cultural exchange, international communication and scientific innovation, he said.

 

[ahojunk]

A piece of good news on the environment.

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China sets pace for green energy
2016-07-11 09:29 | China Daily | Editor: Feng Shuang

China has cut coal consumption by 1.57 billion metric tons from 2010 to 2015 to reduce carbon emissions by 3.6 billion tons. And it has shown a commitment to green energy by becoming the largest country with renewable power capacity in 2015.

An estimated 147 gigawatts of renewable power capacity was added worldwide in 2015, the largest annual increase ever, and global investment also climbed to a record high, the annual Global Status Report on Renewables 2016 said.

Among the global players, China has been especially active. It leads the list of 148 countries covered in the report, with the largest renewable power capacity by 2015, according to Irene Giner-Reichl, president of Global Forum on Sustainable Energy.

She focused on the rapid growth of renewable energy in China during the 2016 Eco Forum annual conference in Guiyang, Guizhou province, on Saturday. The forum ended on Sunday.

With the increasing investment on solar, wind and hydropower, China will see a larger growth of non-fossil fuels, "with a high possibility to exceed the set targets of 15 percent by 2020," said Li Junfeng of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association.

Non-fossil fuels accounted for 12 percent of China's primary energy mix in 2015, growing from 7.4 percent in 2005, and it's expected to account for 20 percent by 2030, said Xie Zhenhua, China's chief climate negotiator and former deputy chief of the National Development and Reform Commission.

As one of largest global carbon emitters, China has implemented multiple policies, including industrial restructuring, to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, with significant success.

Its cut in coal consumption since 2010 was equivalent to reducing carbon emission by 3.6 billion tons, Xie said.

"In 2015, China saw its GDP hit 67.7 trillion yuan ($10.1 trillion), 148 percent above 2005, but the carbon dioxide emission per unit of GDP has been reduced by 38 percent compared with 2005," Xie said.

China is committed to reducing carbon intensity 60-65 percent by 2030, and aims to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions earlier than the deadline of 2030, Xie said.

William Ruto, vice-president of Kenya, who attended the forum, praised China's efforts in reducing carbon emissions and called for more cooperation among the African countries and China on the use of green energy.

 

[TaiShang]

China’s investment in environmental protection to reach$2.5 trillion
(People's Daily Online) 16:37, July 25, 2016

In the 13th Five-Year Plan period, China’s investment in environmental protection may reach 17 trillion yuan (approximately $2.5 trillion). A series of policies related to environmental protection are also in the process of being formulated, according to a Shanghai Securities News report, which cited officials from relevant ministries.


He Binghua, director of the Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection of the National Development and Reform Commission, said the commission is currently assembling action plans in three categories: energy conservation, water conservation and cycling development.

“Investment in environmental protection will see drastic growth compared to the 12thFive-Year Plan period,” He said.

Gao Yunhu, director of the Department of Energy Conservation under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said China will put great effort into the development of green manufacturing, which includes energy conservation, new energy equipment and new energy cars. Chinese officials will also strive to increase the value of manufacturing to 10 trillion yuan by 2020.

Experts said about 17 trillion yuan is expected to be invested in environmental protectionin the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20). Despite increased investment, 70 percent ofenvironmental protection-related needs are still not being met, meaning that there isplenty of room for more investment in the future.

 

[ahojunk]

Beijing is joining the list of "sponge cities" in China.
This is getting interesting.

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Beijing plans 73 floodwater collection sites, eyes 'sponge city'
2016-07-27 11:15 | Ecns.cn | Editor: Mo Hong'e

(ECNS) -- Beijing is planning to add 73 sites to collect excess rainfall and integrate flood control in its urban planning, Beijing Morning Post reported.

The sites will serve as parks generally and be used to collect water during the flood season. They will be large enough to store 10 million cubic meters of water, the equivalent of five Kunming Lakes in Beijing.

They are expected to directly reduce flooding in downtown areas or prevent floodwater from entering main roads, the report said. Facilities will also be built to relieve floodwater in areas near the south fourth and third ring roads, frequently hit by flooding.

An official from Beijing's urban planning commission said the capital city will have a total of 273 waterways designed for flood control and drainage.

Beijing plans to construct five new reservoirs in its mountainous areas, which together with the current 88 existing ones are expected to account for 83 percent of the drainage area in those locations.

Beijing is also drafting a "sponge city" plan to use the full potential of rainwater. According to the plan, the city will not only be able to deal with too much water, but also reuse rainwater to ease thirst when confronted with shortages.

Rainfall in most cities usually makes its way to the nearest rivers and lakes through the underdeveloped drainage system, leading to flooding during heavy rainfalls.

Seventy-seven people died when the worst downpour in six decades hit Beijing on July 21, 2012, promoting calls for effective flood prevention.

 

[ahojunk]

This regulation couldn't come soon enough.

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Government moves to tackle e-waste pollution
2016-07-25 08:29 | China Daily | Editor: Wang Fan

Workers recycle e-waste in Guiyu township, Shantou, on July 12. Guiyu has been nicknamed 'the e-waste capital' by the locals, and almost every family works in the recycling sector. QIU QUANLIN/CHINA DAILY​

Authorities impose stringent regulations on workshops whose activities damage the ecosystem

Guiyu, a township in Guangdong province, has developed a cleaner, healthier atmosphere since strict restrictions on the disposal of electronic waste－including televisions, air conditioners, washing machines, cellphones and computers－came into force in 2013.

Known as the e-waste capital of the world since the 1990s, Guiyu has grown into a major hub for its disposal. In its heyday, more than 100,000 people, about 50 percent of the permanent residents, made a living dismantling electronic equipment to harvest the expensive metals inside, according to Lin Qiurong, head of the township government.

It seemed that on every street, people could be seen heating circuit boards over coal fires to recover lead, while others used acid to burn out copper or bits of gold.

Before the restrictions were imposed three years ago, Guiyu's e-waste industry recovered about 20 metric tons of gold and 450,000 tons of copper every year, Lin said.

Business was booming, but the family-run workshops, teeming with unskilled, poorly equipped laborers, not only damaged the environment but also affected the workers' health.

"Many workshops discharged untreated acid wastewater directly into the rivers," said Zheng Jinxiong, deputy director of the Guiyu Recycling Economic and Industrial Zone, who witnessed the severe air, water and soil pollution caused by unregulated businesses.

A tributary of the Beigang River, which runs through the town, had high levels of acidity, and its muddy bed had a copper content equivalent to that of copper ore, according to the local environmental protection authority.

Declaration of war

"Via the regulations, we declared war on the dismantling of e-waste, until all the family workshops moved into the industrial zone, and were transformed into environmentally friendly outfits," said Lin Qiurong, head of the township.

In 2012, Guiyi was home to more than 5,000 small workshops. It now hosts about 1,400, and they have consolidated to form 29 joint-venture companies located in the recently opened industrial zone.

"Guiyu currently processes around 400,000 tons of discarded e-waste (a year). We have established a system to cover the whole recycling process－from keeping records of all the waste that enters the town, to dismantling and on to the final re-sales," Zheng said.

In March, a comprehensive inspection by the Guangdong provincial environmental team indicated widespread reductions in the levels of pollutants in the air, water and soil.

In 2010, a report published by the United Nations Development Program said the boom in Guiyu's e-waste dismantling industry and the pollution it triggered reflected the general situation in China, which, with 2.3 million tons a year, was seen as the world's second-largest producer of e-waste.

In recent years, the volume of e-waste in China has risen as a result of the nation's growing economic strength, which has boosted demand for electronic appliances as residents replace or upgrade old equipment.

In the first 11 months of last year, cellphone production exceeded 1.6 billion units, a year-on-year rise of 2.9 percent, according to figures released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Shan Mingwei, a researcher in electronic device recycling technology for the China Household Electric Appliance Research Institute, said an estimated 187 million cellphones were thrown away in the country last year.

The institute's annual white paper shows that last year 75 million units of e-waste were dismantled and processed nationwide, a year-on-year rise of 6.8 percent.

"The central government has facilitated e-waste businesses via improved laws and policies to regulate their growth and protect the environment. It has also issued preferential measures to boost legal, certified recycling and dismantling businesses," Shan said.

In 2012, the central government introduced subsidies that gradually covered 109 e-waste companies nationwide. The companies enjoyed subsidies of about 5.4 billion yuan ($809 million) last year, according to the white paper

However, subsidies alone will not be enough to keep the booming sector on the straight and narrow, and more measures are expected to be released to further facilitate business growth, according to participants at a UNDP forum held in Beijing last month.

There is a lack of necessary supplementary regulation for central government policies, and the subsidies often fail to reach the companies' coffers on time, which makes it difficult for some of the businesses to survive, Shan said.

"But I am very confident that the booming trend will continue, because of the extra attention being paid by local governments," he said.

China has made significant anti-pollution efforts in recent years, and the e-waste disposal sector has attracted extra attention because of its adverse environmental impact.

In 2013, a UNDP report on China's e-waste industry said the sector generated toxic pollutants during the dismantling and processing phases as a result of people burning circuit boards, plastic and copper wires, or through the use of hydrochloric acid to extract valuable metals. The processes exposed both the workers and the environment to toxic heavy metals such as lead, beryllium and cadmium, and released large amounts of ash into the air, water and soil.

Promotion, expansion

Liu Lili, a researcher at Tsinghua University's School of the Environment, said the large number of small, family-owned workshops, such as those in Guiyu, have exacerbated both environmental pollution and damage to workers' health.

"Those 109 companies, which have been approved by the governments (local and central), have better facilities and advanced dismantling technologies, which help reduce pollution and offer better protection. All of these things need to be promoted and expanded across the country."

Shan and Liu said governments have made huge strides in regulating the sector. In addition, the institutes the two researchers work for have provided a range of further suggestions for companies and authorities to boost the healthy development of the sector.