China's rapid growth has led to an 8% - 10%
annual increase in municipal solid waste
making China the world's second-largest generator of solid waste
producing 220 million tons annually.
Treating solid waste has become a challenge for many cities.
Everydyay, Xinlin Bao and her two co-workers
clean the historic Shantung street
one of the most famous streets in Suzhou, China.
Mrs. Din is part of a community network
that collects trash to keep Suzhou clean.
Municipal garbage trucks collect the waste
and take them to the Suzhou household waste-to-energy plant.
100% of the city's waste is processed here.
The plant's steam generators can burn over 3,500 tons
of municipal waste daily.
This produces 350 million kilowatt-hours of electricity
annually, which is used for lighting homes and businesses.
Incineration can reduce waste volume by 90%
and weight by 80%.
Using landfills as a waste disposal alternative
compared to incineration, wastes land resources.
After incineration, the liquid and slag residue
are safely treated and recycled.
The waste-to-energy plant was developed
by China Everbright International
and funded by the Asian Development Bank.
This is our first public-private partnership with management.
We are very excited to having larger partnership
together with private sector
local government, and also commercial banks.
We strongly believe that we can
distract from our traditional loans
and deliver much needed changes in this
important sector.
Walking in any of the WTE plants
you hardly believe the plant has anything to do with garbage.
With the support of ADB
the efforts of the municipal government
and the deployment of advanced and clean
waste-to-energy technology
Xinlin Bao and her co-workers
will continue to play a major role
in keeping Shantung street clean and charming
for the next 1,000 years.
