Internet of Things (IoT)-Enabled accountability in source separation of household waste for a circular economy in China

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2021-06, Vol.300, p.126773, Article 126773
• Main Authors: Wang, Bill, Farooque, Muhammad, Zhong, Ray Y., Zhang, Abraham, Liu, Yanping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accountability; Circular economy; Internet of things; Smart waste management; Source separation; Sustainable waste management
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126773

Source separation is regarded as a best practice for sustainable waste management, which is essential for a transition to a circular economy to recover value from waste. However, its implementation in China has faced many difficulties which are primarily inherent in the public’s behaviour towards source separation of household waste. Based on multiple cases of innovative use of the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in China in recent years, this study establishes the concept of IoT-enabled accountability in household waste source separation by utilising the lens of accountability theory. Moreover, this research advances several propositions on the multiple dimensions of accountability mechanism to influence user behaviours. The study’s findings provide guidance to governments, technology providers and waste management organisations on the use of IoT-based technological solutions for sustainable waste management. It stimulates future research on the use of IoT technologies in managing people’s behaviour in a range of contexts beyond waste management alone. The study contributes to the growing literature on smart waste management. •IoT-enabled accountability concept is proposed in household waste source separation.•Multiple cases in China prove the effectiveness of IoT-enabled accountability.•Propositions are advanced on various dimensions of accountability mechanism.