According to a recent report, China's largest neoprene manufacturer, Shan Rubber Group, faced a local hearing due to serious pollution issues. The authorities stated that "current technology is not capable of fundamentally solving environmental pollution and production safety problems," and as a result, the company was urged to relocate. However, the author argues that pollution control should focus on "governance" rather than "relocation."
While relocating polluting factories might seem like an effective short-term solution and could improve the city's air quality, it is not a sustainable or long-term fix. In fact, relocation often just shifts the problem from one area to another. More importantly, it may fail to address the root causes of pollution. For example, if Shan Rubber Group moves, it will still be a major polluter, and the relocation process itself could lead to further environmental damage.
The original site may never fully recover from contamination, while the new location could quickly become polluted. As the saying goes, "The old wound hasn't healed, and a new illness has developed." Relying solely on relocation to tackle pollution is not only ineffective but also counterproductive.
Is the pollution from Shan Rubber truly uncontrollable? From the author’s perspective, the answer is no. Many countries with stricter environmental regulations, such as Japan, the United States, and the European Union, also produce chloroprene rubber without facing similar relocation demands. For instance, Japan Electrochemical Industry Co., Ltd., which uses a different production method, manages its pollution effectively. This suggests that there are viable ways to control pollution in neoprene manufacturing.
Given that China's land is limited and every place is inhabited, we cannot keep moving polluting industries to remote areas. Moreover, other countries are unlikely to accept such transfers. We can’t solve this issue by simply relocating factories. Instead, we must prioritize effective pollution control measures and invest in better technologies.
In conclusion, the key to addressing pollution lies in governance, not relocation. It's time to focus on real solutions rather than temporary fixes.
Foshan Dragon Edge Outdoor Equipment Co., Ltd , https://www.dragon-edge.com