ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Research on the Treatment of Municipal Solid
Waste Source Classification Behavior Based
on Institutional Engineering – Comment on
“Shanghai Municipal Domestic Waste
Management Regulations”
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Business School, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
Submission date: 2021-01-09
Final revision date: 2021-06-04
Acceptance date: 2021-06-23
Online publication date: 2021-11-22
Publication date: 2022-01-28
Corresponding author
Xiaofeng Weng
School of Management, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 334 Jungong Road, 200093, Shanghai, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2022;31(1):883-898
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ABSTRACT
Currently, waste classification management is being carried out in various parts of China. In order to
solve the pain points and difficulties of individuals’ “reluctant to sort, lazy to sort”, which is the source
of domestic waste management behavior, the thesis is based on the cost-utility theory, using institutional
engineering research methods to study the behavioral cost and utility of individuals’ disposal of domestic
waste. Studies show that after the implementation of waste classification management, the increase in
the cost and the decline in utility of the individuals’ behaviors in handling domestic waste is the root
cause of the failure of waste classification management in China. At present, the implementation of
Shanghai’s domestic waste management regulations has problems such as mismatch of penalties, poorly
targeted penalties, excessive supervision costs, too few convenient facilities, and individuals’ resistance.
The paper puts forward a “double-track” differentiated garbage classification management method, in
which market mechanism is introduced to collect garbage classification service fee from individuals
with time cost and reward individuals without time cost, while existing measures such as strengthening
supervision and increasing convenient garbage classification facilities are taken. On the premise of
ensuring the implementation of waste classification management objectives, the utility of individuals’
waste classification behavior can be improved, the government supervision cost can be reduced, and the
Pareto improvement can be achieved.