The word is a straightforward combination of two distinct parts. `有害 (yǒuhài)` is a common adjective meaning “harmful” (literally “to have harm”). `垃圾 (lājī)` is the standard word for “trash” or “garbage.” Put them together, and you get `有害垃圾 (yǒuhài lājī)`, which literally translates to “harmful trash,” a perfect description for hazardous waste.
The term `有害垃圾` rocketed from relative obscurity to a household phrase following the 2019 implementation of mandatory waste sorting in Shanghai, a policy which has since been rolled out to other major cities across China. This initiative marks a significant turning point in China's approach to environmentalism, moving from a focus on industrial pollution to managing consumer waste at the individual level. Unlike in many Western countries where hazardous waste disposal is often a periodic, specialized event (e.g., a “hazardous waste drop-off day” at a local facility), in urban China, it has become a daily civic duty. Apartment complexes have designated times and supervised areas for residents to dispose of their sorted trash. An `阿姨 (āyí)` or volunteer will often watch to ensure you're sorting correctly. This reflects a broader societal value: a top-down, collective approach to solving national problems. The government sets a clear, ambitious goal (waste reduction and environmental protection), and the entire population is mobilized to achieve it. The sudden, widespread enforcement created a shared cultural moment, spawning countless memes, songs, and mobile apps designed to help citizens figure out if their leftover crayfish shells were `湿垃圾 (shī lājī)` (wet waste) or if a broken lightbulb was `有害垃圾`. For a learner, understanding this term isn't just about vocabulary; it's about understanding a key aspect of modern urban life and civic responsibility in China.
`有害垃圾` is a term you will encounter daily, primarily in the context of waste disposal.
Understanding `有害垃圾` requires knowing the other three categories it is sorted with.