Utilization of Solid Waste as Building Materials (USB): Review of Chinese Policies

The utilization of solid waste as building materials (USB) represents a three-win solution that simultaneously deals with the security of solid waste, environmental pollution, and scarcity of raw building materials. This study adopts a mixed content analysis, reviewing 258 USB policies (USBPs) issued between 1973 and 2022. A three-dimensional analytical framework that combines static and dynamic analyses was constructed including policy instruments, policy content, policy objectives, and time. The findings revealed both achievements and key barriers to USBPs. Over the past 50 years, cooperation among Chinese government departments and policy coordination has been increasing, and the revision of policy content and policy instruments has become more diversified and detailed. However, barriers such as an imperfect policy system and content, an irrational combination of policy instruments, and low implementation and sustainability of policies remain. In response, major recommendations for optimizing the existing USBPs in China were proposed in this paper, including improving the USB policy system and content, and optimizing the combination of policy instruments. Moreover, these findings can serve as a significant reference for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to direct future practices of the building material industry in effectively contributing to solid waste management and sustainable development.