Public acceptance of waste incineration power plants in China: Comparative case studies

Abstract

The exercise of siting environmentally stigmatized infrastructure projects, like waste incineration power plants, albeit socially desirable, is full of challenges partially due to local opposition. The strategies for enhancing public acceptance are therefore critical to building waste incineration projects. This study aims to investigate public attitudes towards waste incineration projects in China and to make recommendations for enhancing public acceptance. A comparative case study was undertaken where two waste incineration projects (i.e., one succeeded and one failed) were examined. Data were collected through questionnaire-survey, complemented by archive files and face-to-face interviews. The results show over 70% respondents, although support waste incinerators in general, hope that the project will not sit in the vicinity of their residential areas. A successful project siting strategy should take account of environmental, social and economic impacts systematically. To alleviate the environmental concern, it would be helpful to improve road conditions, adopt stringent standard of the odor emissions and monitor the power plant operation closely. The strategies used to cope with social aspect comprise effective communication between the government agency and the host community, active engagement of the public in decision-making and government's readiness for and flexibility in problem-solving. The results also indicate that a fair re-settlement plan and transparency in the implementation of the compensation plan are conducive to lessening the interest conflicts. This study contributes to the knowledge of waste incineration project management by identifying the critical strategies for managing sitting problems of waste incinerators. Recommendations for increasing public acceptance are offered.