The Societal Perception and Challenges of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Russian and Chinese Megacities: A Comparative Study

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15826/csp.2025.9.3.347

Abstract

This study offers a comparative sociological analysis of public perceptions surrounding municipal solid waste management in the megacities of Russia and China. Against the backdrop of an intensifying global environmental crisis, there is an urgent need for innovative research to inform effective ecological strategies. Urbanization stands as a primary driver of environmental degradation, with municipal solid waste management representing one of the most pressing challenges in contemporary urban governance. Despite technological advancements in waste segregation and disposal, widespread public acceptance remains elusive, hindering the operational efficiency of urban waste systems. In both Russia and China, prevailing societal attitudes toward waste segregation present a formidable obstacle to the successful implementation of environmental policies. Consequently, transforming public perceptions of modern waste collection and management technologies is imperative. The evolution of these attitudes is closely tied to the development of environmental ethics within urban populations. This article investigates the current status and key challenges in fostering environmental consciousness across Russian and Chinese megacities.

Author Biographies

Xu Wang, National University of Defense Technology, Nanjing

Xu Wang holds a PhD in Sociology and currently serves as an Associate Professor at the School of Foreign Languages, National University of Defense Technology, PR China. He previously completed his postdoctoral research at the School of Foreign Studies, Nanjing University, where he was also affiliated with the Department of Russian Language. His primary research interests include historical journalism, national image construction, and international communication strategies, with a particular focus on Sino-Russian relations. Dr. Wang has authored and co-authored over 35 scholarly publications, including six articles in journals indexed by A&HCI, and has contributed to two monographs and two textbooks. He has participated in multiple national and international research projects related to Russian foreign media and global communication. In recognition of his academic contributions, he has been appointed Associate Professor of Journalism at the European Center for Peace and Development, University for Peace, established by the United Nations, and serves as a member of the Media Linguistics Subcommittee of the International Committee of Slavists under UNESCO.

Alexander V. Petrov, Saint Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg

Alexander V. Petrov is Professor and Doctor of Sociology, Chair of Economic Sociology and Director of the Russian-Chinese Center for Comparative Social, Economic, and Political Research at the Department of Sociology, Saint Petersburg State University, Russia. He also serves as a Scientific Adviser and Visiting Lecturer at the School of International Relations and Economics and Trade, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China, and as an Honorary Guest Lecturer and a Senior Scholar at Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China. He has been awarded the I.F. Obraztsov Gold Medal in recognition of his academic achievements. Professor Petrov has authored and co-authored over 180 scholarly publications, including academic articles, textbooks, and monographs.

Maria S. Baynova, Moscow Financial and Industrial University “Synergy”, Moscow

Maria S. Baynova is Associate Professor and Doctor of Sociology, Head of the Department of Public and Municipal Administration at Moscow Financial and Industrial University “Synergy.” She has participated in numerous research projects related to the social sphere, including social protection policies, regional education development, public demand for physical culture and sports, environmental governance, and municipal solid waste management. She is the author of several textbooks on state and municipal administration and the fundamentals of social management. Dr. Baynova has published over 220 scientific works, including articles, textbooks, and monographs.

Ariadna A. Petrova, Saint Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg

Ariadna A. Petrova is Associate Professor and PhD in History at the Institute of History, Saint Petersburg State University. Her research interests include historical sociology and social history, with a focus on diplomatic relations, mass media, public health, and Cino-Russian economic, political, and cultural communication. Dr. Petrova has authored and co-authored more than 100 scientific publications, including peer-reviewed articles, textbooks, and monographs.

Olga P. Gorkovaya, Saint Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg

Olga P. Gorkovaya is a postgraduate researcher and Master of Sociology at the Department of Sociology, Saint Petersburg State University. Her research focuses on sociology, economic sociology, and the sociology of public and administrative management. Her areas of interest include public and municipal governance, social ecology, sustainable development, global social processes, and Russian-Chinese social communication. She has authored and co-authored 29 academic publications.

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Published
2025-10-10
How to Cite
Wang, X., Petrov, A., Baynova, M., Petrova, A., & Gorkovaya, O. (2025). The Societal Perception and Challenges of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Russian and Chinese Megacities: A Comparative Study. Changing Societies & Personalities, 9(3), 657-681. doi:10.15826/csp.2025.9.3.347
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Vol. 9, No. 3 (2025)
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Articles