Studies on solid waste management plans in Beijing - Municipal solid waste management planning studies

Beijing is the capital of China, which has a population of 11 million and an area of 16,800 km(2). The present situation, future development and draft strategic plan from 1991 to 2015 for municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Beijing are described in this paper. Several mathematical models are developed to predict the MSW generation pattern. The results show that MSW will increase to 9,000 tons daily in 2015, while both of compostable and combustible components are increasing by more than 1% per year, and the inorganic matter is decreasing every year by 1.30%. Basing on the above results, a solid wastes management plan is set up and examined with regard to the cost, economic and financial feasibility. Furthermore, source reduction, separate collection, transportation, comprehensive utilization and harmless treatment of solid wastes are studied according to the socioeconomic characteristics in Beijing.