By Nij Martins
🇨🇳CHINA IS RUNNING OUT OF TRASH AND BUYING GARBAGE
China burns so much waste for energy that their cities are literally running out of trash.
Some plants are now paying $7 a ton to buy garbage just to keep the lights on.
Yep, trash is officially more valuable than half the… pic.twitter.com/KbB9jWKWru
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 2, 2025
China is running out of trash and buying trash. China burns so much waste to power its cities that some plants are now paying $7 per ton just to get more garbage.
For years, China has been synonymous with rapid urbanization and mounting waste challenges. But in a dramatic shift, the country is now facing an unexpected problem: some of its waste-to-energy plants are running low on trash.
The Rise of China’s Waste-to-Energy Boom
China has invested heavily in waste incineration as part of its push to reduce landfill reliance and generate clean energy. With over 1,000 large-scale incineration plants—nearly half the world’s total—the country can process 1.16 million metric tons of waste daily, far exceeding its current collection rates.
Hainan became China’s first province to fully transition to waste-to-energy incineration, and cities like Sanya now boast high-tech facilities where every ton of trash generates 340–350 kWh of electricity—enough to power a household for a month.
The “Hungry Incinerator” Phenomenon
Despite this success, a new issue has emerged: many plants are operating at just 60% capacity. With urban waste collection at 262 million metric tons annually—far below treatment capacity—some facilities are scrambling for fuel.
Reports reveal that incineration plants are:
- Buying local garbage (at ~$7 per ton)
- Digging up old landfill waste buried decades ago
- Exploring overseas waste imports, despite China’s 2018 ban on foreign trash
Why Is This Happening?
1. Overbuilding of Incineration Plants – Rapid expansion outpaced waste generation.
2. Strict Recycling Policies – China’s waste sorting campaigns have reduced burnable trash.
3. Declining Consumption Waste – Economic shifts and thriftier habits may play a role.
The Global Connection
China’s waste shortage has international ripple effects. After its 2018 foreign waste ban disrupted global recycling, some companies are now exporting incineration technology to Europe and Southeast Asia. Others are building overseas plants, turning China into a waste-to-energy exporter.
What’s Next?
Experts like Tsinghua University’s Liu Jianguo suggest expanding incineration to rural waste, industrial scraps, and organic waste to keep plants running. Meanwhile, the government aims to balance capacity with sustainability, ensuring the waste-to-energy boom doesn’t become a bubble.
China’s “trash shortage” reflects both its environmental progress and the challenges of overcapacity. As the world watches, the solution may lie not in burning more waste—but in smarter, more circular waste management.