Honestly, I don't know where this stereotype comes from, and why the show runners choose to pick this one opposed to many others out there which might be even more interesting, IMO.
Landfills currently handle roughly half of China's MSW, while only about 10% is incinerated. Official credo suggests that landfills will continue to play a dominant role. But Beijing's push to increase the share of burned waste is unmistakable: a central target calls for 30% of MSW to be treated by waste-to-energy incineration by 2030.
And late last year they opened the worlds biggest incinerator outside Beijing[1].
In the article[0], it says only 2% was burned in 1990.. so it seems this is a new initiative.
0. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jul/04/dirty-tru...
1. http://shanghaiist.com/2014/10/08/worlds-biggest-trash-incin...
http://www.epa.gov/solidwaste/nonhaz/municipal/backyard/inde...
suprisingly, its not as terrible for the environment as it looks. but its not pleasant to see or be around regardless.
obviously, don't do this in CA b/c wildfires...etc.
Says whom?