Municipal Solid Waste Management In China Research Articles

Four-decades evolutionary development of municipal solid waste management in China: Implications for sustainable waste management and circular economy.

This study collected data on waste generation and management in China between 1979 and 2020 from government statistics and literature and reviewed the development of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in China. The extended stochastic impact by regression on population, affluence and technology (STIRPAT) model was employed to identify the driving forces of MSW generation, and the cointegration analysis showed that economy (0.35, t = -3.47), industrial structure (3.34, t = -20.77) and urbanization (-1.5, t = 5.678) were the significant socioeconomic driving forces in the long run. By employing the framework of evolutionary economics, this study then investigated the internal rules of long-term interaction between socioeconomic factors and MSW management. The results indicate that, in the long run, MSW management development can be viewed as an evolutionary process that includes a continuous adaptation to external socioeconomic factors and the co-evolution of internal institutions and technologies. Adaptation and diversity of institutions and technologies play an important role in achieving sustainable waste management and circular economy (CE). This study offers a novel evolutionary perspective for explaining dynamic changes of MSW management in China, as well as recommendations for emerging economies to achieve sustainable waste management and CE goals.

Estimation of reduced greenhouse gas emission from municipal solid waste incineration with electricity recovery in prefecture- and county-level cities of China

Municipal solid waste (MSW) without proper managements could be a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. MSW incineration with electricity recovery (MSW-IER) is recognized as a sustainable way to utilize waste, but its effectiveness on reducing GHG emissions at the city scale in China remain unclear due to limited data of MSW compositions. The aim of the study is to investigate reduction potential of GHG from MSW-IER in China. Based on the MSW compositions covering 106 Chinese prefecture-level cities during the period of 1985 to 2016, random forest models were built to predict MSW compositions in Chinese cities. MSW compositions in 297 cities of China from 2002 to 2017 were predicted using the model trained by a combination of socio-economic, climate and spatiotemporal factors. Spatiotemporal and climatic factors (such as economic development level, precipitation) accounted for 6.5 %–20.7 % and 20.1 %–37.6 % to total contributions on MSW composition, respectively. The GHG emissions from MSW-IER in each Chinese city were further calculated based on the predicted MSW compositions. The plastic is the main GHG emission source, accounting for over 91 % of the total emission during 2002–2017. Compared to baseline (landfill) emission, the GHG emission reduction from MSW-IER was 12.5 × 107 kg CO2-eq in 2002 and 415 × 107 kg CO2-eq in 2017, with an average annual growth rate of 26.3 %. The results provide basic data for estimating GHG emission in MSW management in China.

Circular Economy and Municipal Solid Waste Management in China

The circular economy is a model for sustainable economic development that places a strong emphasis on the efficient use of energy and resources, waste reuse, and recycling. It entails establishing a mutually supportive relationship between economic expansion and ecological sustainability. Both developed and developing countries are necessitated to undertake such adjustments from a linear model to a circular economy as a result of severe environmental degradation. Despite developed regions successfully implementing the circular economy (CE) principle, transitions for most of developing countries are arduous and require or further investigation. China, the largest developing country, formally declared its intention to build a circular economy in 2002 and has since worked to regulate relevant industries. Its experience can be used as a foundation for other developing nations in approaching CE. Furthermore, municipal solid waste should be taken into account as it is a critical sector for promotion of CE. This paper investigates the current CE in China's municipal solid waste management to provide an integrative overview. It is structured through an overall view of CE and municipal solid waste (MSW), evaluations of current management in the context of three different key aspects of a circular economy, an analysis of the barriers to MSW management in China, and a conclusion with policy proposals.

Assessing the sustainability of municipal solid waste management in China 1980 - 2019

The sustainability of the Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) system is one of the crucial issues for achieving sustainable development goals. However, current studies only focus on evaluating certain aspects of the MSWM system at cities level, and it lacks a comprehensive overview of the sustainability of the MSWM system at the national level in China. In addition, many studies only focused on the MSWM system in the urban area, whereas the MSWM system in counties has not been systematically reported in China previously. In this work, we developed an indicator system based on the widely accepted “Wasteaware” benchmark indicator framework, consisting of four dimensions (resource value, environmental impact, economic feasibility, and social aspect) to assess the sustainability of the MSWM system in China from 1980 to 2019. It was found that the MSW generation per unit of living expenditure, recycling rate, and landfill disposal rate dropped from 87.8 g CNY−1 to 16.5 g CNY−1, 20.0% to 17.0%, and 100.0% to 53.3%, respectively, over the last four decades. The controlled disposal rate of MSW increased from 6.9% to 98.5%, while per capita GHGs emissions from the MSW sector rose by 2.5 times. Per capita financial input intensity increased 35 times, and the social score elevated from 8 to 83. It was found that the score of MSWM sustainability decreased from 26 to 12 first in 1980–1994, then rose to 82 from 1994 to 2019. However, the financial input efficiency of MSWM in China showed a sharp decline for both resource value and environmental impact performances, from 5.5 to 0.12 (score) billion CNY−1 and from 6.2 to 0.06 (score) billion CNY−1, respectively. Although the facilities, financial investment, and regulation of the MSWM in China were primarily improved, there are still challenges in reducing MSW generation, promoting recycling, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Policy implications were put forward based on the assessment results.

The feasibility analysis of cement kiln as an MSW treatment infrastructure: From a life cycle environmental impact perspective

Subsequent to the sharp surge in quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation, the pace at which waste treatment facilities are being constructed in some cities cannot meet the increasing demand for MSW treatment capacity. As a remedy to this, the co-processing of MSW in high-temperature cement kilns has become a potential MSW treatment option in emerging countries, and has been widely implemented in developed countries such as Netherlands and Germany. However, the environmental impacts of MSW co-processing in cement kilns differ from those of traditional treatment technologies. Besides, it is necessary to determine whether MSW co-processing in cement kilns could reduce the overall environmental impacts of MSW treatment and disposal as a whole, which is a key step in analyzing the feasibility of the treatment technology. Hence, this study used the life cycle assessment (LCA) method to quantitatively analyze the environmental impacts of MSW co-processing in cement kilns and the results further compared with other MSW treatment technologies. The functional unit was one ton of raw MSW, and real operational data from the cement industry and MSW treatment project in China was used for case studies. The results revealed that when compared to incineration and mechanical biological treatment (MBT), the environmental impact mitigation of energy recovery during MSW co-processing in cement kilns is not that significant. However, since there is no required additional treatment of residual waste and wastewater, the environmental impact caused by MSW co-processing in cement kiln appeared to be much lower from a life cycle perspective. Therefore, under conditions of insufficient MSW treatment capacity, co-processing in cement kiln could be an effective complementary approach to MSW management in China and other emerging countries which have many new dry cement kilns suitable for this alternative complementary technique of MSW treatment and disposal.

Comparison of MSW management practices in Pakistan and China

The situation of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Pakistan and China was analyzed. In Pakistan, neither MSW collection nor disposal is effective due to the lack of institutional, administrative and financial arrangements. The MSW collection rate is about 60% and remainder 40% is leftover either in streets or vacant plots. Pakistan requires an economic and sustainable technology to achieve prompt solution for MSW collection and disposal problems in the country. Whereas, China has shown a progressive improvement in MSW management. Landfilling is a predominant and cost-effective method of MSW management in China. Also it has been revealed that MSW in China is treated by incineration. Whereas, there is neither engineered landfill nor any waste-to-energy treatment facility in Pakistan. Additionally, this study suggests a future potential investment in the waste management sector under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

Reduction potential of GHG emissions from municipal solid waste incineration for power generation in Beijing

Abstract With rapid economic growth and massive urbanization, China faces the problem of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal and the pressing need for development of alternative energy. MSW incineration for power generation is playing an increasingly important role in MSW management in China. In order to study the reduction of GHG emissions caused by MSW incineration for power generation, the GHG emissions under the baseline level is calculated by using Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) methodology. Then, the GHG emission reduction is estimated based on the improved upstream-operation-downstream (UOD) framework. Finally, the GHG emission reduction in Beijing is studied and forecasted through grey prediction model and scenario analysis, and the main factors affecting the reduction potential are identified. The results show that the GHG emission reduction target can be achieved through MSW incineration for power generation. Direct and alternative GHG emissions from MSW incineration are the main sources of emissions, while indirect emissions account for a small proportion. The MSW disposal volume, the moisture content of MSW, the installed capacity of biomass energy, the average line loss of power generation and the quantity of fossil fuels consumed by power generation are five important factors that affecting GHG emission reduction potential. It is recommended that the dominant form of waste disposal in China should be replaced by MSW incineration for power generation, and the full classification of MSW needs to be promoted. Furthermore, the installed capacity of biomass energy should be increased and the average line loss of power generation should be reduced.

Municipal solid waste management and greenhouse gas emission control through an inexact optimization model under interval and random uncertainties

ABSTRACTRapid increases in the amounts of untreated municipal solid waste (MSW) and discharged greenhouse gases (GHGs) from waste treatment processes have caused great challenges to urban development and environmental protection. This study aimed to develop an integrated interval-stochastic optimization model to support regional MSW management in China, where the parameters which show large variations were expressed as birandom variables, whereas the parameters with small fluctuation were assumed to be interval numbers. The main objective of this optimization model was to minimize the total cost with simultaneous considerations of MSW treatment and GHG control requirements. The stochastic equilibrium-based chance constrained programming technique and interactive two-step algorithms were used to solve this model. Among many types of solutions with various constraint-violation levels, the solutions with balanced characteristics were recommended as the decision basis. Compared with existing management schemes, the model solutions showed advantages in cost reduction and climate-change impact mitigation.

Environmental impact assessment of municipal solid waste management incorporating mechanical treatment of waste and incineration in Hangzhou, China

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is becoming increasingly popular around the world as a means of accommodating the increasing amounts of waste that the growing global population generates. China currently produces more MSW than any other country. As such, this area of the world is facing challenges on an unprecedented scale. MSW management in China is highly dependent on landfilling, and the development of sanitary landfills is currently a top priority for the Chinese government. Hangzhou is one of the most developed cities in China. In fact, in 2013, the amount of incinerated MSW in Hangzhou represented 56% of total MSW. MSW incineration is primarily performed via a process of co-incineration with coal because MSW has a low heating value.This paper employs a environmental impact assessment by LCA program to determine whether refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production and incineration can have a more positive impact on the environment than the co-incineration of MSW with coal in Hangzhou, China. According to the results, RDF production and incineration could improve Hangzhou's MSW management global warming potential from −33% to 0%, the acidification potential from −90% to 34%, and the eutrophication potential from −1200%–350% in comparison to the co-incineration of MSW with coal. The treatment of organic reject material from RDF production has a significant effect on the results; as such, it should be utilized in energy production rather than landfilled.

Preferential policies promote municipal solid waste (MSW) to energy in China: Current status and prospects

As the largest developing country in the world, China creates a considerable quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW), which is one of the most serious urban pollution sources. Not only can MSW to energy contribute to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by landfills, but it can also generate clean energy to offset the increasing energy requirements. MSW to energy is a novel eco-friendly renewable energy resource and has attracted the attention of both national and local governments with various preferential policies. China׳s MSW to energy development has the characteristics of late starting, large scale and rapid growth, so it urgently needs to present how these policies exert influence on the prosperity of MSW to energy in view of latest situations. This paper initially illustrates the current status of MSW management in China. The application of landfill gas-fired and MSW incineration power generation is then analysed in detail. Meanwhile, the present situation of clean development mechanism (CDM) projects in MSW to energy is presented. In addition, a series of preferential policies and regulations to encourage the expansion of MSW to energy, especially MSW incineration, are offered. Finally, the market potential of MSW incineration power generation is analysed and reasonable suggestions are proposed. Owing to the demand for sustainable development, MSW incineration power generation is capable of significant growth and has tremendous market potential for investors in future decades with the support of the Chinese government.

An overview of municipal solid waste management in China

Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in China warrants particular attention as China has become the largest MSW generator in the world and the total amount of MSW it produces continues to increase. In recent years, central and local governments have made great efforts to improve MSWM in China. New regulations and policies have been issued, urban infrastructure has been improved, and commercialization and international cooperation have been encouraged. Considering these developments, an overview is necessary to analyze the current state as well as new opportunities and challenges regarding MSWM in China. This paper shows that since the late 1990s, the amount of MSW collected has been largely decoupled from economic growth and incineration has become an increasingly widespread treatment method for MSW. We identify and discuss four major challenges and barriers related to China’s MSWM, and propose an integrated management framework to improve the overall eco-efficiency of MSWM.

Effect of MSW source-classified collection on the emission of PCDDs/Fs and heavy metals from incineration in China

Municipal solid waste (MSW) source-classified collection represents a change in MSW management in China and other developing countries. Comparative experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of a newly established MSW source-classified collection system on the emission of PCDDs/Fs (polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins and dibenzofurans) and heavy metals (HMs) from a full-scale incinerator in China. As a result of presorting and dewatering, the chlorine level, heavy metal and water content were lower, but heat value was higher in the source-classified MSW (classified MSW) as compared with the conventionally mixed collected MSW (mixed MSW). The generation of PCDDs/Fs in flue gas from the classified MSW incineration was 9.28 ng I-TEQ/Nm 3, only 69.4% of that from the mixed MSW incineration, and the final emission of PCDDs/Fs was only 0.12 ng I-TEQ/Nm 3, although activated carbon injection was reduced by 20%. The level of PCDDs/Fs in fly ash from the bag filter was 0.27 ng I-TEQ/g. These results indicated that the source-classified collection with pretreatment could improve the characteristics of MSW for incineration, and significantly decrease formation of PCDDs/Fs in MSW incineration. Furthermore, distributions of HMs such as Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, As, Ni, Hg in bottom ash and fly ash were investigated to assess the need for treatment of residual ash.

Remedial Strategies for Municipal Solid Waste Management in China

ABSTRACT The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the current status and to identify the problems of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in China to determine appropriate remedial strategies. This is the second of two papers proposed on this topic. Major problems or difficulties identified in MSW management in China include MSW land, air, and water pollution, commingled collection, poor administration, shortage of funds, lack of facilities, and problems of training and public awareness. In order to solve these problems and to improve MSW management in China, remedial strategies in three areas are recommended: institutional reform, technology development, and legislation and administrative improvement. The primary principle involved in institutional reform is unifying legislative responsibilities into one body and developing a market mechanism for handling MSW. Composting, landfills, and incineration should be equally developed in accordance with China's needs. The feasibility of developing technology to handle MSW in China is discussed. Also recommended is the establishment of sound regulatory systems, including a service fee system, a source separation system, and a training program. China is presently undergoing economic and institutional reform at the national and local levels. Results of this study will provide useful information on MSW management in China.

Municipal Solid Waste Characteristics and Management in China

ABSTRACT The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the current status and identify the problems of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in China in order to determine appropriate remedial strategies. This is the first of two papers, discussing primarily the general characteristics of MSW and its management in China. The second paper focuses on specific remedial strategies. MSW generation in China has increased rapidly in the past 20 years from 31.3 million tons in 1980 to 113.0 million tons in 1998. The annual rate of increase is 3–10%. The average generation per capita is 1.0 kg/day (0.38 t/year). Nearly one-half of the waste generated is dumped in the suburbs, where the accumulated quantity has reached 6 billion tons, which has caused heavy environmental pollution. This paper provides information on MSW management in China, such as MSW generation and its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Low calorific value and high moisture content characterize China's municipal waste. Other issues related to MSW management in China are also discussed, including the factors that influence MSW generation quantity and quality, MSW collection, transfer and transport, treatment and disposal, material recovery, legislation, enforcement, and administration.