S city in China has implemented a waste classification system and constructed a waste classification model with government-led market and public participation. In order to explore the effectiveness of waste classification input in S city, this paper conducts analyses from the points of view of the classification facility’s construction, environmental effectiveness, social acceptability and operation sustainability, based on interviews with and questionnaire surveys completed by related parties. The results show that the current waste classification facility system in S city is basically completed; high rates of both properties and residents comply with the waste classification system. S city has established a government-led waste classification pattern that depends on social participation. This pattern has been recognized and accepted by residents and is economically sustainable. At the same time, it is pointed out that the current marginal effectiveness of the waste classification input is showing a declining trend. Future investment should shift from investment in facilities and equipment to incentives for autonomous management by residents, and the corresponding evaluation of investment and effectiveness should also change accordingly. This requires the government to guide the refined management system.

In the context of Chinese-style modernization, the promotion of comprehensive green development within the economy is a crucial aspect of achieving high-quality development. The private economy plays an irreplaceable role in China’s economic framework, and the advancement of green development is intrinsically linked to the green transformation of private enterprises. However, many of these enterprises encounter many challenges that significantly hinder their green transformation efforts. At the same time, the rapid growth of Fintech offers a compelling impetus for transforming and upgrading the financial industry. Therefore, in the pursuit of high-quality development, it is particularly vital to accelerate the green transformation of private enterprises by leveraging the supportive role of the financial system. This paper analyzes A-share listed private enterprises in China and the city-level Fintech development index from 2011 to 2022, utilizing a two-way fixed-effects model for empirical analysis. The findings indicate that Fintech development facilitates private enterprises’ green transformations. Furthermore, the mechanism analysis reveals that the primary pathways through which this effect occurs are the alleviation of financing constraints and the enhancement of corporate innovation abilities. Notably, this effect is more pronounced among enterprises located in eastern regions and within heavily polluting industries. Based on these conclusions, this paper offers relevant recommendations for the government and private enterprises, aiming to foster the green transformation of private enterprises and contribute to sustainable societal development.

Waste plastics are low-value waste; thus, achieving high-value recycling is the most desirable goal. Scientific methods are required to evaluate the environmental benefits and support the technology optimization and market selection of waste-to-energy technology for plastics. This study selected catalytic cracking and incineration power generation of two typical examples of waste plastics energy technologies as the research objects, established a full life cycle assessment model, and used the mid-point method to analyze and compare the environmental benefits of the two technologies. The results showed that catalytic cracking technology is more environmentally friendly. The sensitivity analysis showed that the treatment units had a high impact on the results; process optimization predicted the efficiency of technology optimization and advocated future technological developments to explore the direction of using clean energy, upgrading equipment, and updating catalysts. The results of this study can provide ideas for the optimization of two kinds of waste plastics energy technology. In addition, the comparative data analysis intuitively demonstrated the advantages and disadvantages of waste-to-energy technologies and provided a practical path for the future development of high-value treatments for waste plastics.

The mulberry-dyke fishpond system represents China’s traditional circular agricultural heritage yet faces challenges of “circularity without economic viability” and preservation under modernization pressures. Taking the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System site of Digang in Huzhou as a case study, this paper reveals fundamental shifts in its value structure through local research and interviews. Key findings include the following: (1) Significant decline in traditional economic value: Annual income from mulberry-dyke fishpond systems is extremely low, far below the per-mu yield of modern intensive aquaculture in the area. This has led to producer withdrawal and the disintegration of the base-pond structure. (2) Ecological and social values increasingly emerge and partially marketize: The system’s ecological service value is substantial and policy-recognized, with markets responding through a 100% premium on eco-fish prices. Concurrently, heritage-based cultural tourism integration generates significant new value—for instance, Digang village’s 2023 tourism revenue reached 140 million. However, these prominent non-market values still lack stable, adequate realization pathways. The core argument of this study is that the decline in mulberry-dyke fishpond systems stems from an imbalance in value structures rather than the disappearance of value. Their revitalization hinges on institutional innovation that transforms ecological and social value into sustainable market incentives. To this end, this paper proposes a systematic revitalization framework encompassing a concession system (incorporating community interest alignment and risk management clauses), regional brand certification, carbon sink value realization, and mechanisms for deep community participation. This approach aims to provide a Chinese solution for the sustainable development of similar agricultural cultural heritage sites, offering both theoretical insights and practical value.