jhort,
You are right saying to imply that westernization spread faster at material levels than mentalities and that is why waste was there but not seen as an issue. The results of that unbalanced growth, is illustrated in these pictures. The whole world is to blame for the mess we are in but the developed countries have a bigger share of that blame.

China was not the best example of careless policies as in spite of their darker past, they have been quite active in the recent years. In some areas (production of electrical cars), they have been more proactive than the US itself.
As for the Chinese habit of shopping for fresh food for each meal, it’s a cultural thing that, for the well being of the planet, has not yet gone away. Even in the modern and westernized Hong Kong, people still maintain that healthy and environmental friendly habit.

Waste management is definitely a huge problem all over the world but a more visible one in developing nations.
Children starving and deprived of education is also something the world should not close their eyes to;