Waste sorting and end-of-pipe emission reductions in the waste-to-energy sector

This study examines the impact of waste sorting policies on environmental emissions from waste-to-energy incinerators in China. We employ panel regression models with unique end-of-pipe monthly emission data from 1028 incinerators between 2020 and 2023. The results show that municipal waste sorting policies reduce total suspended particulate (TSP) emissions by 8.2%, HCl emissions by 6.9%, and NO_x emissions by 3.2%. Additionally, we find evidence that the abatement effect is stronger for facilities located near administrative boundaries. Furthermore, waste sorting policies increase public awareness of waste separation, stimulate related green innovation, and increase public investment in waste treatment, thereby reducing the emission intensity of incinerators. The findings reveal unintended consequences of waste management policies for emissions from the waste-to-energy power generation sector and highlight the need for stronger cross-boundary coordination to maximize environmental benefits.