Ginny, Shenzhen College of International Education

“I am confused by the fact that wet tissues are classified as dry waste!” These kinds of exclamations have been heard very often recently, because a rather complex garbage categorizing system has been established in Shanghai. It requires every citizen to classify their garbage into four types: dry, wet, recyclable and harmful. Shenzhen is planning to implement a similar strategy before the end of 2020.

Most people are confused by the names of these four kinds of rubbish and, what is more, the inconvenience the system causes for individuals has also raised arguments. Many residential areas have removed the garbage cans from each floor, with a timetable for rubbish disposal being instituted instead.

The residents can only dispose their categorized rubbish downstairs at a particular place and time. Companies have stopped offering rubbish bins for their employees, so they have to take their rubbish home. Shanghai citizens have been driven mad because of the new rules, not only because of what is mentioned above, but also because they will be fined heavily if they do not obey the rules.

This brings to mind a quote said by Albus Dumbledore from “Harry Potter:” “Sometimes we have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy.” The benefits gained from garbage classification greatly outweigh the negative effects.

First of all, I think it can prevent people from producing extra waste because it would be hard to handle, and the room it takes to discard the rubbish will shrink.

It can also teach people how to dispose of waste properly and increase our knowledge of garbage categorization.

In addition, it can maximize the recycling rate of waste. Mixing all sorts of rubbish together is the last thing we should do, because it will not only elevate of the workload of rubbish-recycling workers, but also reduce the reuse rate of each kind of rubbish.

What is more, failing to categorize waste causes harm to the environment, and this harm can be severe. The heavy metal content in waste batteries contaminates the soil if buried directly. Plastic products may be eaten by unwitting animals, sometimes causing death.

Marine creatures may get trapped in plastic garbage, which can influence their lives in a negative way. Humans may also be harmed due to unclassified rubbish being disposed improperly. Batteries release toxic substances that will affect people’s health. Leftover meals may tempt flies and mosquitoes, which will cause people to come down with ailments.

All in all, an appropriate way to classify and dispose of rubbish is incredibly important, and we should all stick to it. It can make our surroundings cleaner and free of diseases, while allowing each sort of rubbish to be dealt with in the best way.