In the face of escalating global waste challenges, China, as the world’s largest waste producer, has been grappling with the urgent need for sustainable waste management solutions. While government policies and technological investments have been pivotal, the role of Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) in driving change has often been overlooked. Our recent study, published in npj Urban Sustainability, sheds light on the critical roles these organizations play in fostering sustainable waste management practices across China. Through a nationwide survey of 106 ENGOs and in-depth case studies of 26 organizations, we uncovered how these groups are not only addressing waste management challenges but also catalyzing broader societal and institutional changes.
The role of ENGOs in waste management
Our research identified four key roles that ENGOs play in advancing sustainable waste management in China:
Fig. 1. An overview of 26 in-depth case studies of ENGO roles in community waste management based on four role categories. The numbers indicate how many of the 26 ENGOs fulfill each particular role
Vision articulation: ENGOs are at the forefront of raising environmental awareness and articulating a vision for sustainable living. They engage communities through door-to-door consultations, workshops, and activities like second-hand markets and composting initiatives. By building trust and fostering intrinsic motivation, they encourage residents to adopt waste-sorting practices.
Fig. 2. An ENGO sets up food waste composting equipment in Shun De Ju Community, Qingdao City (Photo by the first author)
Model development: ENGOs are pioneers in developing and piloting innovative waste management models tailored to local contexts. These models, often low-cost and adaptable, provide scalable solutions that governments can later adopt. For instance, one ENGO developed a replicable community waste management model from work in 341 communities, which has been widely disseminated and implemented by other organizations in other cities.
Policy advocacy and enhancement: Many ENGOs actively contribute to waste management legislation and policymaking by providing frontline experiences and insights. They also advocate for regional waste classification policies and monitor the implementation of these policies. For example, one ENGO’s snap-and-report initiative, which encourages citizens to report waste classification issues via an app, has been instrumental in informing city leaders’ decisions.
Fig.3. An ENGO introduces food waste composting equipment during a government visit in Qingdao city (Photo by the first author)
Peer-to-Peer empowerment: Some ENGOs focus on empowering their peers by providing financial support, knowledge sharing, and strategic planning assistance. They create collaborative platforms for ENGOs to share best practices, discuss challenges, and provide mutual support. This peer empowerment strengthens the overall capacity of the ENGO sector to drive sustainable waste management.
Our study also proposes the concept of actor niches, which categorize ENGOs based on their operational levels and priorities. These niches help us understand how ENGOs operate at different scales and how their roles evolve over time. Importantly, actor niches are not static—they can evolve based on the ENGOs’ interests, capabilities, and external contextual factors. The three actor niches and characteristics of ENGOs at these niches are summarized below:
Local actor niches: These ENGOs focus on localized perspectives and address specific community waste issues. They are deeply rooted in their communities, raising awareness, sharing knowledge, and building networks at the grassroots level. For example, ENGOs work closely with residents to implement waste-sorting practices and foster long-term trust within their communities.
Inter-local actor niches: These ENGOs operate at a regional level, coordinating stakeholders and facilitating dialogues across various fields. They aggregate learning from different communities and enhance policy advocacy by providing governments with on-the-ground experiences. ENGOs work across multiple communities, testing new approaches and developing models that can be adapted to different contexts.
Trans-local actor niches: These ENGOs operate at a national level, supporting and empowering peer organizations, establishing institutional spaces, and catalyzing political change. They create and circulate consolidated knowledge and models on community waste management. For example, they provide financial and informational support to other ENGOs, enabling them to innovate and implement sustainable waste management practices across diverse communities.
The evolution of actor niches is influenced by several factors, including leadership ambition, resource availability, and the external environment. For instance, some ENGOs may start at the local level but expand to inter-local or even trans-local niches as they secure more government contracts, gain political support, or develop stronger networks. Conversely, some ENGOs may choose to remain in their original niche, focusing on localized issues without expanding their scope.
Challenges faced by ENGOs
Despite their significant contributions, ENGOs face numerous challenges in China. The most pressing issue is the lack of recognition and support from local governments. While central policies encourage ENGO involvement, local governments often prioritize businesses for waste management contracts due to their ability to deliver immediate, visible results. This leaves ENGOs, which focus on long-term behavioral change, underfunded and underappreciated.
Additionally, ENGOs struggle with unstable funding, limited human resources, and a lack of professional development opportunities. High volunteer turnover and difficulties in retaining talent further hinder their ability to execute labor-intensive tasks. In some cities, ENGOs also face bureaucratic hurdles, such as managing financial accounts and paying higher taxes than corporations, which complicates their operations.
Policy implications
Our findings underscore the need for stronger government-ENGO linkages to harness the full potential of these organizations. Institutionalizing the legal status of ENGOs and providing clearer guidelines for their involvement in waste management could enhance their legitimacy and effectiveness. Moreover, investing in the professional development of ENGOs is crucial for improving their waste-specific knowledge and engagement strategies.
Conclusion
ENGOs are indispensable actors in China’s transition to sustainable waste management. Their ability to innovate, engage communities, and influence policy makes them key drivers of change. By addressing the challenges they face and leveraging their strengths, policymakers can unlock the full potential of ENGOs to create more sustainable urban environments.
As we continue to explore the long-term impacts of ENGO-led waste management innovations, it is clear that these organizations are not just addressing waste management—they are reshaping the way communities and governments think about their roles in achieving sustainable waste management.
Please read full paper:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-025-00193-0