Exploring the development of municipal solid waste disposal facilities in Chinese cities: patterns and drivers

doi:10.1007/s11783-023-1739-4

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

2023, Vol. 17

Issue (11) : 139 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-023-1739-4

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Exploring the development of municipal solid waste disposal facilities in Chinese cities: patterns and drivers

Xiao Li¹(

), Yanan Ren², Xuezhao Chen¹, Yang Li³, Marian R. Chertow⁴

¹. School of Public Policy and Administration and Research Center for Resource and Environmental Policy and Management, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
². School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
³. Growth Lab, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
⁴. Center for Industrial Ecology, School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA

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Abstract

● We tracked Chinese cities’ MSW disposal infrastructure development history.

● Diverse patterns and drivers were uncovered with empirical analysis.

● Patterns were shaped by regional imbalances and features.

Rapid urbanization in Chinese cities has led to a surge in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation, necessitating the development of high-quality MSW disposal facilities. This study utilizes multi-source data and regression models to examine the status, development pathways, and driving forces of MSW disposal facilities in China. Our findings reveal an inverted U-shaped relationship between the capacities or numbers of MSW disposal facilities and GDP per capita of cities. Historical data show that cities in East and Southeast China preferred incineration, while cities in West and Central China developed landfills more, largely shaped by the imbalance of development levels and endowments among regions in China. The study also identifies mixed and differentiated influences of socio-economic factors on capacity expansion and increases in the number of MSW disposal facilities. The results suggest the need for updated construction guidelines and regulations, as well as enhanced technological and managerial capabilities for MSW infrastructure. These findings can inform policymakers and practitioners in their efforts to promote sustainable waste management practices in China.

Keywords China Municipal solid waste (MSW) Landfill Incineration Proliferation patterns Driving forces

Corresponding Author(s): Xiao Li

About author:

^* These authors contributed equally to this work.

Issue Date: 15 November 2023

Cite this article:

Xiao Li,Yanan Ren,Xuezhao Chen, et al. Exploring the development of municipal solid waste disposal facilities in Chinese cities: patterns and drivers[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2023, 17(11): 139.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-023-1739-4
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2023/V17/I11/139

Tab.1 Definition and data sources of variables

Fig.1 Capacities of MSW disposal facilities in Chinese cities in 2019.

Fig.2 Numbers of MSW disposal facilities in Chinese cities in 2019.

Fig.3 Changes in capacities and numbers of MSW disposal facilities in Chinese cities from 2006 to 2019. (a) Changes in landfill and incineration capacities; (b) changes in numbers of landfill and incineration facilities.

Fig.4 Estimated IRRs of socio-economic factors affecting numbers of MSW disposal facilities in Chinese cities. (a) MSW treatment; (b) Landfill; (c) Incineration (*95% confidence intervals of the estimated IRRs are shown. *p < 0.10, **p < 0.05, ***p < 0.01).

Tab.2 Regression results for fixed-effect models.

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