Managing municipal solid waste from a system perspective: A comparative study of Dalian, China and Waterloo, Canada

Managing municipal solid waste from a system perspective: A comparative study of Dalian, China and Waterloo, Canada

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Article ID: iaor20106520
Volume: 18
Issue: 5
Start Page Number: 282
End Page Number: 294
Publication Date: Sep 2010
Journal: Sustainable Development
Authors: , , ,
Keywords: China, waste management
Abstract:

In China, one of the challenges on managing solid wastes is how to realize waste reduction, reuse and recycling while maintaining rapid development, leading to a demand for an Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) approach. A practical way to improve ISWM in developing countries is to learn from successful experiences in developed countries. Hence, systematic comparisons that reflect the complexity of ISWM systems in different contexts are needed. This paper takes a system perspective to compare and contrast two cases, the Region of Waterloo in Canada and Dalian in China, exploring the reasons for the different management approaches between the two cases. The results show that in some aspects, differences between the two waste management systems are tightly linked to their respective social and economic contexts, which can hardly be changed, whereas other differences can be attributed mainly to management strategies and tools. Suggestions are provided on waste planning, the development of waste diversion programs and waste treatment industries, the design of new programs, and the role of the local government.

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