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Economic analysis: Shaanxi waste recycling

as intelligent construction waste identification, sorting and policy implementation efficiency. By optimizing
systems, and geographic information system-based resource allocation, reducing technology costs,
tracking of transport vehicles. enhancing enterprise cooperation, and strengthening
When discussing the difficulties and challenges faced interdepartmental collaboration, the overall efficiency
by the government, respondents highlighted issues such and effectiveness of construction waste management
as limited policy coverage and poor communication are expected to improve significantly.
among stakeholders. Several interviewees mentioned
problems, including low enterprise participation in 3.5. Cross‑stakeholder comparative analysis
government-led training programs, complex subsidy The previous three subsections discussed different
application procedures resulting in low application aspects of economic performance related to recycling.
willingness and difficulty in fund allocation, and the This subsection aims to integrate the perspectives of the
lack of attention to small and medium-sized enterprises. three stakeholder groups, using the theme-coding table to
This aligns with previous studies, which noted that identify their shared understandings and contradictions.
the current subsidies tend to focus on large projects Based on the stakeholder theory, the analysis explores
and major enterprises, while small and medium-sized the challenges encountered in the cooperation process
enterprises receive little support, resulting in unbalanced and potential directions for improvement.
development within the recycling market. 31
Based on these findings, the respondents discussed 3.5.1. Consensus (benefits and constraints)
the types of support they deemed necessary. This All parties acknowledged that under certain conditions,
mainly includes continued financial investment from recycling activities provide economic value.
higher-level authorities and enhanced information Construction units reported reductions in material costs
exchange and coordination among departments. and disposal expenses, while recycling units expressed
Moreover, simplifying the subsidy application process, strong confidence in the long-term establishment of
setting up dedicated funds for small-scale enterprises, the market and its economic prospects. Throughout
and implementing high-level government-led cross- this process, government-issued support policies were
departmental integration actions to avoid the duplication seen as enhancing the economic benefits for both
of resources (human and financial) have also been groups. At the same time, all stakeholders agreed on the
mentioned in several Chinese reports. 32 systemic constraints affecting economic viability. These
Regarding future improvement strategies, the include increased costs due to sorting and processing
respondents highlighted three main points. First, the technologies, low recycling efficiency, underdeveloped
government should take the lead in developing and markets, poor acceptance of recycled products, and
promoting green public procurement standards for limited price competitiveness. In terms of policy
recycled materials and scaling up successful pilot support, all three groups emphasized the critical role of
projects. Second, enforcement must be strengthened, strong government intervention in improving economic
such as through strict penalties for illegal dumping, outcomes, such as through various forms of subsidies,
to ensure that the recycling industry becomes a profit- infrastructure investment, and tax incentives. This
generating sector rather than a regulatory burden. Finally, finding is also supported by earlier research, which
34
efforts should be made to enhance public awareness and stated that the government can be seen as a “bridge”
certification systems to build trust in recycled products. enabling effective circulation between construction and
In addition, one interviewee raised a point not coded recycling units.
but noted in other studies on improving the economic
viability of recycling: subsidy coverage should be 3.5.2. Divergences (profit cycle and responsibility
comprehensive, with part of the funding shifted from distribution)
end-stage treatment (recycling) to earlier stages, such Although there is a general consensus among the
as source reduction and waste product usage. This three parties regarding the benefits and constraints of
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could serve as an important recommendation for future recycling, a deeper analysis revealed fundamental
government policy development. contradictions in terms of economic gains.
Overall, government departments have achieved The first contradiction lies in the length of the profit
certain successes in resource support and the promotion cycle. As mentioned in other studies, construction units
of new technologies, yet there remains room for prioritize short-term cost control and expect immediate
improvement in terms of adaptability, promotion depth, returns when participating in recycling processes.

Volume 22 Issue 5 (2025) 101 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025120080