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Transformation of Solid Waste Management in China: Moving towards Sustainability through Digitalization-Based Circular Economy

Author

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  • Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan

    (College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China)

  • Xue Liang

    (School of Electrical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China)

  • Elizabeth O’Callaghan

    (Department of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland)

  • Huihwang Goh

    (School of Electrical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China)

  • Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman

    (Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), School of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai 81310, Malaysia)

  • Ram Avtar

    (Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 0600808, Japan)

  • Tutuk Djoko Kusworo

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, Semarang 50275, Indonesia)

Abstract

In China, environmental pollution due to municipal solid waste (MSW) over-generation is one of the country’s priority concerns. The increasing volume and complexity of the waste poses serious risks to the environment and public health. Currently, the annual growth of MSW generation is estimated to be approximately 8–10% and will increase to 323 million metric tons (Mt) by 2030. Based on the secondary data collected from a literature survey, this article critically evaluates the recent progress of MSW management (MSWM) in China and offers new insights into the waste sector in the era of Industry 4.0. This helps decision makers in China to plan a smooth transition nationwide to a circular economy (CE) in the waste sector. It is evident that digitalization is a driving force for China to move towards low-carbon development strategies within the framework of CE. Through digitalization, the waste sector has promoted prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling (3Rs) of waste before waste disposal in landfills. A proper implementation of digitalization-based waste recycling has contributed to an efficient cooperation between the government and private sector, increased job opportunities, and promoted the conservation of resources. It is anticipated that this work not only contributes to the establishment of an integrated MSWM system in China, but also improves local MSWM through digitalization in the framework of a CE.

Suggested Citation

  • Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan & Xue Liang & Elizabeth O’Callaghan & Huihwang Goh & Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman & Ram Avtar & Tutuk Djoko Kusworo, 2022. "Transformation of Solid Waste Management in China: Moving towards Sustainability through Digitalization-Based Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:4:p:2374-:d:753198
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Caferra, Rocco & D'Adamo, Idiano & Morone, Piergiuseppe, 2023. "Wasting energy or energizing waste? The public acceptance of waste-to-energy technology," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PE).
    7. Juan C. Santamarta & Luka Miklin & Cynthia Olivia Gomes-Nadal & Joselin S. Rodríguez-Alcántara & Jesica Rodríguez-Martín & Noelia Cruz-Pérez, 2023. "Waste Management and Territorial Impact in the Canary Islands," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, January.
    8. Kristia Kristia & Mohammad Fazle Rabbi, 2023. "Exploring the Synergy of Renewable Energy in the Circular Economy Framework: A Bibliometric Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-27, September.
    9. Ishmael Onungwe & Dexter V. L. Hunt & Ian Jefferson, 2023. "Transition and Implementation of Circular Economy in Municipal Solid Waste Management System in Nigeria: A Systematic Review of the Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-26, August.
    10. Yevheniia Ziabina & Aleksy Kwilinski & Oleksii Lyulyov & Tetyana Pimonenko & Yana Us, 2023. "Convergence of Energy Policies between the EU and Ukraine under the Green Deal Policy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-19, January.
    11. Xu Chu & Yiying Jin & Xuan Wang & Xiankun Wang & Xiaoqian Song, 2022. "The Evolution of the Spatial-Temporal Differences of Municipal Solid Waste Carbon Emission Efficiency in China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-23, May.
    12. Victoria Akberdina & Wadim Strielkowski & Natalia Linder & Sergey Kashirin & Lyudmila Shmeleva, 2023. "Information Technology and Digital Sufficiency for Building the Sustainable Circular Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-14, January.
    13. Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan & Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman & Xue Liang & Muhammad Ayub & Hui Hwang Goh & Tutuk Djoko Kusworo & Ayesha Mohyuddin & Kit Wayne Chew, 2022. "Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC): A Potential Game-Changer in Renewable Energy Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-20, December.
    14. Dek Vimean Pheakdey & Nguyen Van Quan & Tran Dang Khanh & Tran Dang Xuan, 2022. "Challenges and Priorities of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Cambodia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-27, July.
    15. Shangjie Ge-Zhang & Taoyang Cai & Zhitao Hu & Haotong Zhu & Pingxuan Mu & Jingang Cui, 2023. "Investigation and Suggestions regarding Residents’ Understanding of Waste Classification in Chinese Prefecture-Level Cities—A Case Study of Maanshan City, Anhui Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-8, July.
    16. Congbin Cheng & Sayed Fayaz Ahmad & Muhammad Irshad & Ghadeer Alsanie & Yasser Khan & Ahmad Y. A. Bani Ahmad (Ayassrah) & Abdu Rahman Aleemi, 2023. "Impact of Green Process Innovation and Productivity on Sustainability: The Moderating Role of Environmental Awareness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-19, August.
    17. Simonetto, Marco & Sgarbossa, Fabio & Battini, Daria & Govindan, Kannan, 2022. "Closed loop supply chains 4.0: From risks to benefits through advanced technologies. A literature review and research agenda," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    18. Xu Geng & Honghao Li & Xiaoyu Liu & Huayun Liu & Miaoxin Huang, 2023. "The Effect of the Evaluation of Trash Can Removal Policy under the “Compulsory Times” of Waste-Sorting in Longhua District in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-14, June.
    19. Hong Nham, Nguyen Thi & Ha, Le Thanh, 2022. "Making the circular economy digital or the digital economy circular? Empirical evidence from the European region," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    20. Chaojie Yu & Junqing Xu & Aihua Zhao & Peiyuan Xiao & Jun Tai & Zhujie Bi & Guangming Li, 2022. "The Generation and Effects for Recyclable Waste from Households in a Megapolis: A Case Study in Shanghai," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-14, June.
    21. Jose-Luis Zafra-Gómez & Germán López-Pérez & Marta Garrido-Montañés & Elisabeth Zafra-Gómez, 2023. "Cost Efficiency in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW): Different Alternatives in Service Delivery for Small and Medium Sized Spanish Local Governments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-14, April.

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