China Uses Air Freshener Cannons to Mask Smell of Landfills

Beijing is using massive air freshener cannons to help mask the smell of ever-growing landfills

Beijing, China will be using giant air freshener cannons to spray gallons of fragrance over the city's ever-growing landfills, so that nearby residents don't have to put up with the aroma of freshly-rotting garbage whenever the wind blows their way.

That's how serious Beijing's garbage problem has become - a direct result of the citizens' newfound purchasing power. With locals embracing the beloved Western throwaway culture of rubbish has escalated to levels that current disposal systems just aren't able to handle. According to reports, the city recycles a mere 4% of this trash, with the rest going to landfills that are quickly filling up. They hope the giant deodorant guns can at least help with the smell until a better solution is found.

Environment authorities in cities throughout China are struggling to keep pace with this burgeoning problem. According to the government, about 20m tons of urban garbage went unhandled in 2008.

They want to deal with the waste by burning it. But government plans to build 82 incinerators between 2006 and 2010 have encountered an increasingly hostile "not-in-my-backyard" movement. According to Chinese media reports, at least six incinerator projects have been put on hold due to public opposition, including Panyu in Guangdong province, Jiangqiao in Shanghai, and Liulitun and Asuwei in Beijing.

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Guardian