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Characterization, quantification and management of household solid waste: A case study in China

Author

Listed:
  • Gu, Binxian
  • Wang, Haikun
  • Chen, Zun
  • Jiang, Suqin
  • Zhu, Weimo
  • Liu, Miaomiao
  • Chen, Yangqing
  • Wu, Yi
  • He, Sheng
  • Cheng, Rong
  • Yang, Jie
  • Bi, Jun

Abstract

This study was undertaken to evaluate the characteristics of household solid waste (HSW) generation and to identify opportunities and benefits for waste recycling in a typical developed city of Suzhou in East China. A four-stage systematic tracking survey of 240 households was conducted for one week in each season starting from the summer of 2011 to the spring of 2012. And the driving forces behind HSW generation were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model. Results show that Suzhou's HSW generation rate was 280.5g/cap/day, and the annual generation of HSW reached 568 thousand tons, among which, 89.3% were compostable and recyclable waste. Education level of the household daily manager has a major impact on HSW generation rate. And other factors, such as local customs and culture, consumption patterns and residential lifestyles could also influence HSW generation. It could achieve annual economic benefit of 15.9 million RMB, reduce 32.6 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions, and supply nearly 3500 job opportunities in Suzhou if source separation practice well. Implications of our results for HSW management in Suzhou and other Chinese cities were also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Gu, Binxian & Wang, Haikun & Chen, Zun & Jiang, Suqin & Zhu, Weimo & Liu, Miaomiao & Chen, Yangqing & Wu, Yi & He, Sheng & Cheng, Rong & Yang, Jie & Bi, Jun, 2015. "Characterization, quantification and management of household solid waste: A case study in China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 67-75.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:98:y:2015:i:c:p:67-75
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.03.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jianguo Liu & Gretchen C. Daily & Paul R. Ehrlich & Gary W. Luck, 2003. "Effects of household dynamics on resource consumption and biodiversity," Nature, Nature, vol. 421(6922), pages 530-533, January.
    2. Ojeda-Benítez, Sara & Vega, Carolina Armijo-de & Marquez-Montenegro, Ma Ysabel, 2008. "Household solid waste characterization by family socioeconomic profile as unit of analysis," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 52(7), pages 992-999.
    3. Ogwueleka, Toochukwu Chibueze, 2013. "Survey of household waste composition and quantities in Abuja, Nigeria," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 52-60.
    4. Philippe, Féniel & Culot, Marc, 2009. "Household solid waste generation and characteristics in Cape Haitian city, Republic of Haiti," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(2), pages 73-78.
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    Cited by:

    1. Steuer, Benjamin & Ramusch, Roland & Part, Florian & Salhofer, Stefan, 2017. "Analysis of the value chain and network structure of informal waste recycling in Beijing, China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 117(PB), pages 137-150.
    2. Jinhui Liu & Qing Li & Wei Gu & Chen Wang, 2019. "The Impact of Consumption Patterns on the Generation of Municipal Solid Waste in China: Evidences from Provincial Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-19, May.
    3. Chol Daniel Deng Garang & John Leju Celestino Ladu & Yahya Ibrahim Said & Dr Akashraj Devanga, 2025. "Status of Financial Resources and Willingness to Pay for Solid Waste Management in Juba City, South Sudan," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(5), pages 2482-2503, May.
    4. Liu, Tingting & Wu, Yufeng & Tian, Xi & Gong, Yu, 2015. "Urban household solid waste generation and collection in Beijing, China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 104(PA), pages 31-37.
    5. Xuemeng Zhang & Chao Liu & Yuexi Chen & Guanghong Zheng & Yinguang Chen, 2022. "Source separation, transportation, pretreatment, and valorization of municipal solid waste: a critical review," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(10), pages 11471-11513, October.
    6. Cheng, Xiu & Li, Wenbo & Yang, Jiameng & Zhang, Linling, 2023. "How convenience and informational tools shape waste separation behavior: A social network approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    7. Wei, Yunmei & Li, Jingyuan & Shi, Dezhi & Liu, Guotao & Zhao, Youcai & Shimaoka, Takayuki, 2017. "Environmental challenges impeding the composting of biodegradable municipal solid waste: A critical review," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 51-65.
    8. Shu Yang & Peng Cheng & Shanyong Wang & Jun Li, 2021. "Towards Sustainable Cities: The Spillover Effects of Waste-Sorting Policies on Sustainable Consumption," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-16, October.

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