Beijing to issue fines for incorrect garbage sorting

Individuals in Beijing that fail to sort their trash will be subject to a fine of 200 yuan ($28.3), according to a new draft amendment to the city's current regulations on domestic waste management.

Drafted by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Urban Management, the amendment has been released online to seek public advice on Monday.

Under the new rule, any individual or working unit shall be held responsible for the proper sorting of garbage they produce. If the offender is a working unit, it will also be punished with a fine between 10,000 yuan and 50,000 yuan.

The amendment also stated that the use of disposable goods shall be reduced or banned according to related rules. For example, hotels in Beijing will be banned from automatically offering disposable daily necessities. Catering enterprises and providers of food delivery service will be prohibited from automatically giving disposable tableware either.

It notes that express delivery firms that operate in Beijing should use electronic waybills and green packaging materials such as recyclable boxes or bags and eco-friendly tape.

In addition, the amendment requires that every residential community and natural village in Beijing should at least own a set of garbage containers respectively designated for kitchen waste, recyclables, hazardous waste and other waste.

People who want to make suggestions to the amendment can visit the website of the Beijing Justice Bureau before Nov 13.