The Ministry of Environmental Protection issued a "notice" to improve the handling of hazardous wastes

On March 23, the relevant person in charge of the Ministry of Environmental Protection informed the media that the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the National Development and Reform Commission have jointly decided to increase the capacity of hazardous waste (including medical waste) disposal, prevent environmental risks, and protect people's health and environmental safety. Issued "Circular on Accelerating the Implementation of the National Plan for the Construction of Hazardous Waste and Medical Waste Disposal Facilities" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice"), requiring all localities to speed up the construction of hazardous waste and medical waste disposal facilities and complete the planning tasks within a limited time.

The person in charge said that during the “11th Five-Year Plan” period, the safety disposal capacity of hazardous wastes in China has been greatly improved, laying a certain foundation for environmental safety, but the construction of safe disposal facilities in some places still lags behind, resulting in a large number of hazardous wastes without Safe disposal is lost to the environment and the hazard is serious. With the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization, the amount of hazardous waste generated during the 12th Five-Year Plan period will continue to rise, and the pollution prevention and control situation will be severe. The overall level of prevention and control of hazardous waste pollution must be comprehensively improved. The safe disposal of hazardous wastes is the last safety line to eliminate environmental risks. It is imperative to strengthen the disposal capacity and it is of great significance.

The "Notice" requires that all localities should raise awareness, enhance their sense of responsibility, strengthen coordination, and vigorously promote the implementation of the "National Plan for the Construction of Hazardous Waste and Medical Waste Disposal Facilities." The projects invested by the Central Government in 2009 and in the previous years will be completed in 2011. In 2010, the projects invested by the Central Government will be completed. The hazardous waste disposal facilities will be completed in 2013, and the medical waste disposal facilities will be completed in 2012. If the trial can not be completed after the overdue period, the MEP will supervise the operation. The environmental protection departments at all levels will stop the examination and approval of the environmental assessment documents for new construction, reconstruction, and technical renovation projects that generate hazardous waste in the region and do not have the disposal capacity.

The "Notice" emphasized that the completed hazardous waste and medical waste disposal facilities should apply for trial operation in a timely manner. The trial run time of the project shall not exceed one year. Upon completion of the trial operation, the project shall be checked and accepted in due time. If the application for completion acceptance is not submitted or the inspection fails to pass the inspection, the MEP will supervise the inspection.