18 August 2025 – The world is waking up to the urgency of climate action, with global collaborations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions gaining momentum, especially in high-impact sectors like industry and transport. But one critical area, waste management, is emerging as a vital tool. Far from being just a public health issue, it has a powerful role in fighting climate change.
Waste isn’t just waste: it’s a climate issue
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency municipal solid waste landfills were the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the US in 2021. The World Bank predicts global waste generation will increase by 70% by 2050, which could sharply increase waste-related emissions without intervention.
To help advance the global push for global greenhouse gas emissions reduction, our team conducted a study on how municipal solid waste and the policies that govern it, can have a positive impact on both the environment and the economy.
By comparing China and the US, the world’s two largest economies and top greenhouse gas emitters, we shine a spotlight on a critical but often overlooked part of the environmental policy puzzle. Our analysis pinpoints the key areas in waste management that hold the greatest potential for cutting emissions, along with the infrastructure and policies to make it happen.
What we found
Our findings were published by Springer in a book Waste Management for Global Sustainability: A Comparative Analysis of China-US Policies and Practices, part of the internationally recognised series on Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability, Ethics and Governance.
We highlight a range of innovative waste management practices, giving readers a clearer real-world view of what sustainable waste solutions can look like in action. Our findings provide a new, practical approach to tackling the environmental and social challenges posed by municipal waste, insights that are crucial for meaningful and long-term change.
A comparative look at waste in China and the US
This research is structured around an in-depth comparison of municipal waste management in China and the US. We begin by analysing waste trends and types in both countries, focusing on disposal methods and the environmental and health risks associated with plastic and food waste. We then examine the economic costs these waste streams generate.
From there, we take a deeper dive into food waste, the largest source of municipal waste-related greenhouse gas emissions, comparing emission trends, calculation methods and the policies aimed at curbing both food waste and its climate impact.
The book also features case studies from businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that are already leading the way in food waste reduction.
We examine plastic waste, focusing on how China and the US are talking the challenge of single-use plastic through policy.
Waste as economic opportunity
Our research reinforces a core principle of the circular economy: protecting the environment doesn’t have to come at the expense of economic growth. We firmly believe that with the right technologies, smart policy reforms and support for sustainable industries, we can unlock new markets and value chains that drive both economic and environmental progress.
The book puts forward clear, actionable policy recommendations, covering regulation, measurement, technology, financing, and market-driven solutions. We advocate for a hybrid governance model that blends strong government regulation with smart market incentives, turning waste into a resource. The goal is to be a dynamic system where waste is not just managed, but transformed into renewable energy, delivering wins for both the economy and the environment.
This study grew out of my year as a research fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, where I worked alongside more than twenty experts from China and beyond.
It features a foreword by Mohan Munasinghe, world-renowned environmental scholar and Vice Chair of the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. He calls the research groundbreaking, highlighting its academic rigor, collaborative spirit and value for policymakers seeking practical, effective solutions.
Co-authors of this book include Professor Samuel O. Idowu from London Metropolitan University, Professor Hao Sun from Gallaudet University, Professor Chuanbin Zhou from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Yang Li from the University of California, Berkeley. Key contributors include Wang Zhangchen, Rocco Cartysciello, Yuhang Sun, Simon Choi, Di Wu, Jiayu Deng, Xi Zheng, Li Pan, Qi Chen, Tongshang Li, Zichong Ye, Zhuoyi Liu, and Chunni Song.
