This study examines the effectiveness of urban waste sorting policies in Shanghai, reflecting on their implementation, achievements and challenges in the context of China’s ecological civilization framework. Through field visits, citizen hotline inquiries, surveys and literature analysis conducted from September to October 2024, the research identifies significant progress in establishing a full-process waste sorting system, including increased public compliance and enhanced waste treatment capacities. However, challenges such as low public participation, insufficient stakeholder coordination and limited policy sustainability remain. To address these issues, the study proposes enhancing public engagement in policy-making, increasing market participation in waste management and fostering social involvement to ensure long-term effectiveness. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable urban governance and waste management in mega-cities.
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