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Approaches and Policies to Promote Zero-Waste City Construction: China’s Practices and Lessons

Author

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  • Mingfu Meng

    (State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Zongguo Wen

    (State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Weijun Luo

    (State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
    Puding Karst Ecosystem Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Anshun 562100, China)

  • Shijie Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
    Puding Karst Ecosystem Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Anshun 562100, China)

Abstract

The rapidly growing output of solid waste has brought tremendous pressure to urban development. China launched an action plan known as “Zero-waste city” (ZWC), that refers to an urban development model aimed at reducing the generation of and enhancing the recycling of solid waste, in order to alleviate environmental impacts. Eleven cities and five special zones achieved positive results of solid waste management were selected as pilot areas for exploring empirical methods until 2019. The practices and lessons of the pilot cities need to be deeply analyzed and summarized, so as to promote successful models, learn lessons and better implement the policy comprehensively for other cities. This study presents a review of China’s ZWC policies and practices with constructive suggestions for further development. Based on the policy objective of ZWC and the field investigation of solid waste flow, five crucial approaches to developing ZWC are proposed, namely, solid waste reduction throughout the industrial chain, collaborative treatment of classified municipal solid waste (MSW), efficient utilization of agricultural waste with multiple purposes, safety control of hazardous waste flow, and optimization of market mechanisms. The case study demonstrates that the five paths are appropriate to Xuzhou city. However, deficiencies in MSW classification, pesticide packaging waste collection systems, solid waste product application, management, and policymaking, have emerged. Regulatory prohibitions, extended producer responsibility and market vitality should be adopted to improve the collection, transportation, and utilization of solid waste. Key findings from this research are to summarize crucial paths toward fulfiling ZWC goal, and to reveal some successful practices of, and lessons from ZWC construction by case studies. This study provides a method to further implement zero solid waste management in a targeted manner. The recommendations drawn from the study, which include law, market and institutional measures, may contribute to the achievement of developing sustainable cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingfu Meng & Zongguo Wen & Weijun Luo & Shijie Wang, 2021. "Approaches and Policies to Promote Zero-Waste City Construction: China’s Practices and Lessons," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-22, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13537-:d:696977
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xinpei Qiao & Hyukku Lee & Qi Shen & Yuchao Li, 2023. "Research on the Tripartite Evolutionary Game of Zero-Waste City Construction in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, July.

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