Effectiveness of and Strategic Recommendations for the Construction of Zero-Waste Cities in China

Tianxue Yang; Xiaolong Liu; Tiancheng Gong; Jie Ding; Dongyang Li; Xianlai Zeng; Jun Lin; Beidou Xi; Xiangwan Du

doi:10.1016/j.eng.2026.07.036

Engineering ›› :202607036 DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2026.07.036

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Effectiveness of and Strategic Recommendations for the Construction of Zero-Waste Cities in China

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Abstract

Solid waste is both an environmental pollutant and a potential resource. China is currently facing a severe waste problem, with a cumulative stock of such waste exceeding 80 billion tonnes and an annual generation of nearly 11 billion tonnes [1], leading to issues such as saturated and overflowing landfills, which contribute to the “garbage siege.” In 2019, the State Council formulated the zero-waste cities (ZWCs) strategy and selected cities to be targeted, shifting the solid waste governance paradigm from end-of-pipe treatment to full-chain management [2,3]. The construction of ZWCs is an important way for China to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), effectively advancing SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) [1,4–6], and SDG 13 (Climate Action) [7,8]. Over 6 years, the program has expanded from 16 to 113 cities and eight special zones, with obvious spatial heterogeneity in the expansion process. Eastern regions were early adopters, while central and western regions followed suit thereafter [9]. ZWC construction in China has thus transitioned from a pilot exploration to comprehensive systematic transformation. This study systematically evaluates the construction effectiveness of ZWCs, identifies limitations in quality and efficiency improvement, and proposes macro-level strategic frameworks and policy interventions. Systematic facility optimization and phased capacity improvement can eliminate solid-waste-disposal gaps through refined engineering governance. Moreover, technological innovation, market-oriented industrial cultivation, and unified institutional systems can be used to build a multidimensional, low-carbon collaborative waste governance system.

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Tianxue Yang, Xiaolong Liu, Tiancheng Gong, Jie Ding, Dongyang Li, Xianlai Zeng, Jun Lin, Beidou Xi, Xiangwan Du. Effectiveness of and Strategic Recommendations for the Construction of Zero-Waste Cities in China. Engineering 202607036 DOI:10.1016/j.eng.2026.07.036

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