By Chang Jiwen, Research Institute of Resources and Environment Policies, DRC and Du Genjie, Li Hongke & Du Jianlei, Resource Comprehensive Utilization Sub-Association Attached to Chinese Industrial Association

Research Report, No.64, 2021 (Total 6129) 2021-3-22

Abstract: China’s main types of construction waste are on the rise each year, but their annual recycling rate only registers less than 10 percent. Therefore, it is imperative to accelerate the industrial development of waste recycling in a green and low-carbon-based manner. The huge amount of construction waste has given a boost to the necessity of green and low-carbon-based waste recycling endeavor. The implementation of relevant policies has made it possible for the market-oriented waste recycling in a green and low-carbon-based fashion and the innovation-oriented management modes have enhanced the capability and quality in waste recycling in a green and low-carbon style. But there are still some issues to be addressed. For example, the mandatory construction waste sorting, collection and treatment are inadequate, with some waste treatment methods against regulations. Technologies for waste recycling remain rudimentary, and the limited scale is unable to ensure highly sufficient waste recycling. Recycled products of construction waste are not well-received in the market. In view of these problems, related government departments need to coordinate their regulation efforts toward waste recycling through green and low-carbon-based methods. We need to enforce management at source and establish mandatory and incentive mechanisms in waste sorting, collection, transport and treatment. Through an overall planning, we need to give prominence to technological innovation and raise the level of green and low-carbon-based waste recycling across the board. Besides, we need to refine the technical standards for green and low-carbon-based waste recycling and increase the market share of recycled products.

Keywords: construction waste, green, low-carbon, waste recycling