Challenges in current construction and demolition waste recycling: A China study.

Ma, M; Tam, VWY; Le, KN; Li, W

Challenges in current construction and demolition waste recycling: A China study.

Ma, M Tam, VWY Le, KN Li, W

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Publisher:: Elsevier BV
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Waste management (New York, N.Y.), 2020, 118, pp. 610-625
Issue Date:: 2020-12

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ma, M
dc.contributor.author	Tam, VWY
dc.contributor.author	Le, KN
dc.contributor.author	Li, W https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4651-1215
dc.date.accessioned	2020-11-07T21:11:20Z
dc.date.available	2020-09-17
dc.date.available	2020-11-07T21:11:20Z
dc.date.issued	2020-12
dc.identifier.citation	Waste management (New York, N.Y.), 2020, 118, pp. 610-625
dc.identifier.issn	0956-053X
dc.identifier.issn	1879-2456
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/143832
dc.description.abstract	China produced a large amount of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, owing to the rapid development of construction industry. Although a set of policies and regulations are being drafted in China for promoting C&D waste recycling, execution of these policies in practice seems to be far from effective. Currently, approximately 75% of Chinese cities are still surrounded by large volumes of C&D waste. Therefore, identification of challenges in the development of C&D waste management, specially recycling, is essential. This paper employs site visits to 10 recycling plants in 10 Chinese cities (Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Changsha, Shenzhen, Nanjing, and Zhoukou) and interviews with 25 industry practitioners for examining the challenges. Eight challenges are identified: (1) unstable source of C&D waste for recycling, (2) absence of subsidies for recycling activities and high cost for land use, (3) insufficient attention paid to design for waste minimisation, (4) absence of regulations on on-site sorting, (5) unregulated landfill activities, (6) a lack of coordination among different government administration departments, (7) a lack of accurate estimation of waste quantity and distribution, and (8) a lack of an effective waste tracing system. Recommendations to address these challenges are presented. The results of this study are expected to aid policy makers in formulation of proper C&D waste management in China and provide a useful reference for researchers who are interested in C&D waste recycling industry.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier BV
dc.relation.ispartof	Waste management (New York, N.Y.)
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.wasman.2020.09.030
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess
dc.subject	0907 Environmental Engineering
dc.subject.classification	Environmental Sciences
dc.subject.mesh	Cities
dc.subject.mesh	Waste Management
dc.subject.mesh	Construction Materials
dc.subject.mesh	China
dc.subject.mesh	Recycling
dc.subject.mesh	China
dc.subject.mesh	Cities
dc.subject.mesh	Construction Materials
dc.subject.mesh	Recycling
dc.subject.mesh	Waste Management
dc.title	Challenges in current construction and demolition waste recycling: A China study.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	118
utslib.location.activity	United States
utslib.for	0907 Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CBI - Centre for Built Infrastructure
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2020-11-07T21:11:15Z
pubs.publication-status	Accepted
pubs.volume	118

Abstract:

China produced a large amount of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, owing to the rapid development of construction industry. Although a set of policies and regulations are being drafted in China for promoting C&D waste recycling, execution of these policies in practice seems to be far from effective. Currently, approximately 75% of Chinese cities are still surrounded by large volumes of C&D waste. Therefore, identification of challenges in the development of C&D waste management, specially recycling, is essential. This paper employs site visits to 10 recycling plants in 10 Chinese cities (Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Changsha, Shenzhen, Nanjing, and Zhoukou) and interviews with 25 industry practitioners for examining the challenges. Eight challenges are identified: (1) unstable source of C&D waste for recycling, (2) absence of subsidies for recycling activities and high cost for land use, (3) insufficient attention paid to design for waste minimisation, (4) absence of regulations on on-site sorting, (5) unregulated landfill activities, (6) a lack of coordination among different government administration departments, (7) a lack of accurate estimation of waste quantity and distribution, and (8) a lack of an effective waste tracing system. Recommendations to address these challenges are presented. The results of this study are expected to aid policy makers in formulation of proper C&D waste management in China and provide a useful reference for researchers who are interested in C&D waste recycling industry.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/143832