Resource utilization of solid waste for the collaborative reduction of pollution and carbon emissions: Case study of fly ash

Coal consumption during thermal power generation produces massive amounts of fly ash, accounting for approximately 40% of total municipal solid waste. Fly-ash utilization can reduce solid waste pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and achieve economic benefits. Research on fly-ash resource utilization technology is extensive and detailed; however, studies on its management status and future planning are limited. This study investigates China's spatiotemporal law regulating thermal power plant fly ash. On-site investigations identified the primary metabolic pathways and spatial differences in fly-ash resource utilization. Three resource utilization pathways were selected for environmental impact analysis based on life cycle assessment. The results demonstrated the economic and environmental benefits of fly-ash resource utilization under different allocation situations. The results of this study provide essential data and evaluation support for top-level planning, enterprise layout, and government supervision of fly-ash resource utilization in the future. These results will also provide a reference for further work on bulky solid waste management.