The Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou is a comprehensive cultural venue built to commemorate Tang Xianzu, one of the world’s hundred great cultural figures and a master of Ming‑dynasty drama in China. It is also one of Jiangxi Province’s ten major memorial halls dedicated to historical luminaries.

Public Service Announcement | A Comprehensive Guide to Waste Sorting—Learn It Now!

Author:

Source:

Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall Official Account

Time:

2024-04-29

Why is waste sorting necessary?

Waste sorting is a scientific approach to the effective management of waste. Faced with ever-increasing waste generation and deteriorating environmental conditions,
In this context, waste sorting can maximize the reuse of waste resources, reduce the volume of waste requiring disposal, and improve the environment.

What are the main categories of municipal solid waste?

The Four-Step Process for Waste Sorting

Step 1: See if it can be sold for money.

Step 2: Check whether it is harmful.

Step 3: Check whether it will rot.

Step 4: The remaining waste is classified as other waste.

Step one

Recyclables are household waste materials that are suitable for recovery and reuse. Although there are many types of recyclables, a handy mnemonic can help you remember them: “Paper, Plastic, Glass, Metal, Clothing.”

Paper: Refers to waste paper, which generally has a certain degree of stiffness, such as printing paper and envelopes. In contrast, tissues, wet wipes, and paper-based foodservice items—whether used or not—have no recycling value.

Plastic: Refers to clean plastic products, such as washed beverage bottles and foam plastics. In contrast, single-use plastic tableware contaminated with food residues or soiled plastic bags have no recycling value.

Glass: Refers to “pure” glass products, whereas mirrors composed of glass and a coating are composite materials and are not classified as recyclable waste.

Gold: that is, metal products;

Clothing: Refers to discarded textiles, but excludes towels, undergarments, stockings, and similar items, as their specific uses render them non‑recyclable.

Step two

Hazardous waste poses direct or potential risks to human health and the natural environment; after being sorted and properly disposed of, it is handed over to specialized treatment facilities for harmless processing.
There aren’t many common types of hazardous waste in everyday life. Just remember this mnemonic: “Mercury, lamps, medicine—mercury, lamps, medicine; batteries, paint—batteries, paint.”

Mercury: namely, thermometers, sphygmomanometers, and other devices containing mercury (quicksilver);

Lamp: refers to a lamp tube, such as a fluorescent tube;

Medicine: refers to pharmaceutical products and their inner packaging;

Batteries: With the exception of alkaline and lithium batteries, most batteries are classified as hazardous waste.
It may contain or generate toxic and hazardous heavy metals and substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium.

Paints: Refers to volatile, harmful solvents such as paint and nail polish;

Step 3

Food waste includes kitchen waste generated by catering services, institutional meal‑provision units, and other entities during their production and business operations, as well as household food waste produced by residents in their daily lives.
Other food waste and similar residues generated in the operation of farmers’ markets and agricultural wholesale markets. After being sorted and deposited, such food waste is handed over to specialized treatment facilities for composting or power generation.
Extract usable materials or render them harmless. The vast majority of food is classified as kitchen waste.
Simply remember that the following items are not food waste and should be sorted accordingly: bamboo products, large bones, hard shells, coconut shells, durian rinds, walnut shells, sugarcane peels, corn husks, zongzi leaves, and hard fruit pits, among others.

Step Four
Other waste refers to household waste other than hazardous waste, recyclables, and food waste; it includes most household hygiene products as well as composite materials.
Products composed of multiple materials and components that are difficult to disassemble, such as lighters, pens, and umbrellas.

How can we reduce waste generation?
Waste sorting alone cannot reduce the volume of waste, let alone eliminate it. To fundamentally curb the environmental pollution caused by waste,
We must also take proactive measures to reduce waste generation.