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Lessons learned from Huizhou, China's unsuccessful waste-to-energy incinerator project: Assessment and policy recommendations

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  • Wan, Zheng
  • Chen, Jihong
  • Craig, Brian

Abstract

The Chinese government has advocated the use of waste-to-energy (WtE) incinerators to manage waste because of their high efficiency, minimal land requirement, and significant impact in terms of reducing solid mass; however, the use of WtE incinerators has been met with strong public resistance. This policy note describes Huizhou's unsuccessful WtE incinerator project. Three specific problems are discussed. First, the use of public-private partnerships to implement such projects has led to lack of transparency and corruption. Second, Huizhou has an inadequate dioxin-control strategy due to less stringent standards than those in the U.S. and Europe, along with poor monitoring practices. Third, China's buffer zone between WtE incinerators and populated areas is just 300 m, even though health impacts can be detected for distances up to 5 km. The case of Huizhou shows that high levels of investment do not necessarily result in advanced operation and management techniques. The lack of openness and transparency in government decision-making and supervision exacerbates the severity of not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) concerns. A number of policy recommendations follow from this case study.

Suggested Citation

  • Wan, Zheng & Chen, Jihong & Craig, Brian, 2015. "Lessons learned from Huizhou, China's unsuccessful waste-to-energy incinerator project: Assessment and policy recommendations," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 63-68.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juipol:v:33:y:2015:i:c:p:63-68
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2015.01.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wan, Zheng & Wang, Xuefeng & Sperling, Daniel, 2013. "Policy and politics behind the public transportation systems of China's medium-sized cities: Evidence from the Huizhou reform," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 1-8.
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    1. Dongliang Zhang & Guangqing Huang & Yimin Xu & Qinghua Gong, 2015. "Waste-to-Energy in China: Key Challenges and Opportunities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Xin-gang, Zhao & Gui-wu, Jiang & Ang, Li & Yun, Li, 2016. "Technology, cost, a performance of waste-to-energy incineration industry in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 115-130.
    3. Chuanwang Sun & Xiaochun Meng & Shuijun Peng, 2017. "Effects of Waste-to-Energy Plants on China’s Urbanization: Evidence from a Hedonic Price Analysis in Shenzhen," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Imran Khan & Shahariar Chowdhury & Kuaanan Techato, 2022. "Waste to Energy in Developing Countries—A Rapid Review: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policies in Selected Countries of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia towards Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-27, March.
    5. Yanbo Zhang & Yong Liu & Keyu Zhai, 2021. "Identifying the Predictors of Community Acceptance of Waste Incineration Plants in Urban China: A Qualitative Analysis from a Public Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-16, September.
    6. Guanghui Hou & Tong Chen & Ke Ma & Zhiming Liao & Hongmei Xia & Tianzeng Yao, 2019. "Improving Social Acceptance of Waste-to-Energy Incinerators in China: Role of Place Attachment, Trust, and Fairness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-22, March.
    7. Chavando, José Antonio Mayoral & Silva, Valter Bruno & Tarelho, Luís A.C. & Cardoso, João Sousa & Eusébio, Daniela, 2022. "Snapshot review of refuse-derived fuels," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    8. Hang Yin & Yixiong Huang & Kuiming Wang, 2021. "How Do Environmental Concerns and Governance Performance Affect Public Environmental Participation: A Case Study of Waste Sorting in Urban China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-16, September.
    9. Bao, Fengyu & Martek, Igor & Chan, Albert P.C. & Chen, Chuan & Yang, Yang & Yu, Heng, 2023. "Assessing the public-private partnership handover: Experience from China's water sector," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).

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