Adam Minter

A police car is seen smashed and overturned as demonstrators protest against the construction of a waste incinerator in Hangzhou, China.

What makes people overturn police cars in authoritarian China?

Environment

China has a trash problem. Its landfills are brimming, often with wasted food. So the government is trying to attack the problem with a “clean plate” campaign and more incinerators. But burning the waste has people up in arms.China has a trash problem. Its landfills are brimming, often with wasted food. So the government is trying to attack the problem with a “clean plate” campaign and more incinerators. But burning the waste has people up in arms.