China’s war on pollution targets steel mill slag heaps
- World’s biggest steelmaker produces a 100 million tonnes of waste but less than a third of that is recycled
China’s self-styled war on pollution is extending to a new front: the solid waste that makes up thousands of slag heaps around the country, a by-product of its record steel output.
Beijing has been fighting to clean up the nation after years of breakneck economic growth took their toll on the environment, with its massive steel sector bearing the brunt of its vigorous campaign.
Hundreds of steel mills have been shut over the last few years for failing to comply with tougher environmental rules, with others forced to install better equipment to curb emissions and use higher-quality raw materials such as iron ore and coking coal.
But now industrial debris like slag is increasingly coming under the spotlight as well, potentially pressing steelmakers to tackle the pilings problems head on at a time when they are grappling with weaker profit margins.
“We will spare no effort in addressing solid waste-related environmental issues by strengthening inspections and improving disposal capabilities for dangerous waste,” the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said in response to questions about the push against such pollution.