Coupling coordination evaluation of the social–economic–environmental benefits of construction and demolition waste recycling industry

Abstract

The recycling of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) is not only an important tool for achieving ‘carbon neutrality and peak carbon dioxide emissions’ but also the key to the realization of social–economic–environmental (SEE) sustainable development in the region, as well as to the process of high-quality development in the construction industry. However, the recycling rate of C&DW in developing countries is generally low and the development of the industry is slow, which is not in harmony with the expected benefits from SEE systems. Based on this, the general objectives of this study are to explore the key factors affecting the coupled and coordinated development (CCD) of the system, to evaluate the CCD of SEE benefits of the C&DW recycling industry and to provide references and suggestions for the sustainable development of the C&DW recycling industry. Based on the theory of system dynamics and coupling coordination evaluation, taking Guangzhou, China as an example, this article constructs a coupling evaluation model of SEE benefit system of C&DW recycling industry, simulates the social, economic and environmental benefits of the industry, explores the key factors affecting the CCD of industrial benefits, analyses and evaluates the CCD of industrial SEE system, and puts forward specific optimization suggestions based on the coordinated development of the industry. The results show that employment, amount of C&DW disposed of in landfills, recycling station recycling cost, waste landfill cost and greenhouse gas emissions from recycling waste are the key elements affecting the coupling of the SEE system. The development of the coupling coordination of the SEE system presents three phases, which gradually develops from the initial low-coupling moderate dysfunctional state to the high-coupling low-coordination state, and finally develops to the high-coupling high-quality coordination state. The research results provide data support and model prediction for the development of C&DW recycling industry, theoretical guidance for the government departments to introduce the management policy of C&DW recycling and also guidance for the recycling enterprises to improve their productivity and profit.