The evolution of solid waste management policies in China: A text mining approach from 1995 to 2022

Effective solid waste management is essential for China’s sustainable development. This study examines the evolution of national solid waste management policies from 1995 to 2022 using text mining and policy content analysis. By analyzing 1043 policy documents, this study traces institutional changes and the evolving characteristics of governance models. The results show that China’s solid waste governance has evolved through four distinct stages: defensive governance (1995–2000), regulatory governance (2001–2010), orientative governance (2011–2022), and an emerging phase of collaborative governance after 2022. Each stage exhibits different policy priorities, but administrative regulation and punishment remain prominent throughout. Second, the hotspot policy topics shifted from problem-oriented measures addressing imported waste and end-of-life vehicles, to technology-supported industrial waste treatment and resource recycling, and then to goal-oriented strategies such as the “zero-waste city” initiative. Third, weak market mechanisms and limited public participation remain persistent challenges. Strengthening market incentives and public engagement will be crucial for promoting integrated governance and accelerating progress toward a “zero-waste society.”