Assessing the policy benefits of constructing “Zero-waste Cities” in China: From the perspective of hazardous waste lifecycle management

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2024-03, Vol.918, p.170184-170184, Article 170184
• Main Authors: Li, Yushuang, Fu, Zhanpeng, Li, Jinhui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Environmental policy; Propensity score matching(PSM) with difference-in-differences(DID); Solid waste management; Source reduction; Time lag effect
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170184

Based on China's quasi-natural experiment of constructing “Zero-waste Cities”, this study assessed its policy benefits on hazardous waste lifecycle management. Utilizing the theory of difference-in-differences analysis, the study quantifies the net benefits of the policy in 10 pilot cities using an average treatment effect formula, and the results indicate a reduction of 162,900 tons/year in waste generation, an increase of 2.3 % in utilization and disposal rate, and a decrease of 28,200 tons/year in end-of-pipe storage. By constructing a regression model and employing robustness tests such as changing control variables, substituting the explained variable, re-matching control groups, and random assignment of pilot sites, the study confirms that the significant policy benefits primarily lie in source reduction, with a reduction intensity of approximately 1.73 tons/100 million yuan of industrial GDP. Additionally, by applying the mixed-effects model and mediation-analysis model, the study finds that the policy benefit of source reduction exhibits a lag effect, and during the pilot period, the main approach to achieving the benefit was through enhancing cleaner production in companies rather than adjusting industrial structures in cites. [Display omitted] •ZwC construction has positive net benefits in hazardous waste management.•Significant benefits of ZwC construction lie in source reduction.•Time lag effect observed in the benefits of ZwC construction•Strengthening cleaner production is the main mechanism during the pilot period.