Abstract: The effectiveness of the waste sorting policy in Beijing was evaluated through literature review, questionnaire surveys, and cost analysis. The collection and treatment situations of domestic waste in Beijing before and after the implementation of the waste sorting policy was compared, and the current state and existed issues of waste management in Beijing were analyzed. The results showed that, on the one hand, the implementation of the waste sorting policy had promoted waste reduction and resource utilization, and improved residents’ environmental awareness. On the other hand, although the existed domestic waste treatment facilities could match the current disposal situation, with the progress of waste sorting work and the construction of new waste treatment facilities, incineration companies may face the situation of “not having enough waste to burn”. Therefore, it was necessary to balance the advantages and disadvantages of waste sorting and facility construction, further optimize the layout and make reasonable plans. Based on this, fully considered the opportunities and challenges faced by the implementation of waste sorting policies in Beijing, countermeasures and suggestions were proposed for promoting waste sorting in Beijing from multiple aspects, such as improving the quality of classification, adjusting facility construction, innovating sorting modes, and establishing coordination mechanisms, in order to provide theoretical and practical basis for urban domestic waste management planning and policy making.

Key words: waste sorting, household waste, policy effectiveness, collection and treatment