Sichuan Nanchong: Municipal Solid Waste Management Regulation to Take Effect on March 1st

On February 28th, at the press conference on the "Nanchong Municipal Solid Waste Management Regulation" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulation") held by the Nanchong Municipal Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau, it was announced that the Regulation will officially come into effect on March 1, 2025. As the first systematic local regulation in Nanchong to standardize solid waste management, the Regulation focuses on the goals of reducing, recycling, and harmlessly treating solid waste, aiming to promote the city's green transformation and support the construction of an ecological civilization.

The Regulation was jointly developed over two years by the Standing Committee of the Nanchong Municipal People's Congress, the Municipal Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau, and other relevant departments. It underwent extensive research, multiple rounds of deliberation, and two sessions of review by the Standing Committee of the People's Congress before being passed. During the legislative process, innovative measures such as quantitative analysis and a survey of opinions from 10,000 people were introduced for the first time. Over 90% of the public suggestions were adopted, with a particular focus on addressing challenging issues such as waste sorting and rural waste management that are of public concern.

According to Zhao Ping, the Party Secretary and Director of the Nanchong Municipal Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau, the Regulation consists of eight chapters and 46 articles. It establishes the "three - full" concept of "full - life - cycle management, full - process governance, and full - society participation," as well as the "three - step" implementation strategy of "gradual progress, demonstration - driven advancement, and diversified promotion." By introducing four core measures, including differentiated urban - rural management systems, full - process classification supervision, and inter - departmental coordination mechanisms, the Regulation aims to create a waste - management model with "Nanchong characteristics." Key tasks include pilot composting of kitchen waste in rural areas and the construction of intelligent waste - treatment facilities.

The introduction of the Regulation signifies that Nanchong's solid waste management has entered a track of legalization and standardization. It holds significant importance for improving the living environment and promoting sustainable economic and social development. Moving forward, Nanchong will enhance the publicity of the Regulation, improve supervision and assessment mechanisms, and promote a co - governance pattern led by the government, supported by enterprises, and participated in by the public.

Data shows that in recent years, Nanchong has generated over one million tons of municipal solid waste annually, with traditional landfill methods facing ecological pressures. After the Regulation takes effect, the resource utilization rate of solid waste is expected to increase to over 60%, and circular economy industries such as waste - to - energy incineration and recycled material processing are likely to become new growth points.

While waste sorting may seem like a minor issue, it is a "key move" in the construction of an ecological civilization. The implementation of the "Nanchong Municipal Solid Waste Management Regulation" is not only a transformation of lifestyle but also an upgrade in urban governance capabilities. When institutional design resonates with public habits, the vision of a "waste - free city" may no longer be distant. (By Yi Qinghai and Tang Min)