From 1-7 June , 2025, the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific (hereinafter referred to as "BCRC China"), as the main executing agency of the SINOPLAST II, organized a study visit to Belgium and Norway in collaboration with Chinese environmental authorities, project partners, and representatives from demonstration cities, carrying out technical exchange and policy dialogue initiatives.
The Chinese delegation was led by a senior official from the Department of Solid Waste and Chemicals of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), and comprised officials from relevant departments of MEE, representatives from BCRC China, the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of MEE (FECO), Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Center of MEE (SCC), East China Normal University, as well as the responsible official from the Department of Ecology and Environment of Hainan Province(the administrative authority of the project demonstration city).
During the visit, the delegation held in-depth exchanges with officials from the European Commission and the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, covering policy pathways, scientific progress, technological solutions, and industry practices in solid waste management and plastic/microplastic pollution control.
As part of the visit, the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA), hosted a technical workshop covering the different outcomes of the project. The session opened with remarks delivered by the senior officials of NEA and the Department of Solid Waste and Chemicals of MEE. Dr. Chen Yuan, Chief of the Regional Chemicals Management Branch of BCRC China, serving as the Project Manager of SINOPLAST II, presented the project’s overall progress and annual work plan. Subsequently, partner institutions provided updates on the respective project components and shared strategic plans for future activities.
The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and NEA, as the implementing project partners on the Norwegian side, co-organized the study visit. They accompanied the delegation on a visit to Norway’s first marine national park, where the delegation also participated in a coastal cleanup campaign.
Some members of the delegation also conducted field visits to study Norway’s national plastic beverage container collection system and an automated mixed municipal solid waste sorting center.
The SINOPLAST II project is co-directed by Professor Li Jinhui, Executive Director of BCRC China, and Assistant Professor Tan Quanyin, both are faculty members at the School of Environment, Tsinghua University. This study visit, as a key component of the SINOPLAST II project, provided valuable insights and references for enhancing solid waste management in China, particularly in the area of plastic pollution control. The project continues to serve as a vital platform for advancing bilateral cooperation between China and Norway in the field of environmental protection.
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