Examining public attitudes and perceptions of waste sorting in China through an urban heterogeneity lens: A social media analysis

Examining public attitudes is crucial for promoting effective waste sorting (WS). However, limited studies have utilized social media data to gauge public perspectives on WS, especially at the municipal level. This study leveraged Weibo data to analyze the dynamic evolution of topics across the entire dataset and the public sentiment focus within city-level, including key cities, advanced cities, and other cities. Findings reveal attention shifting towards coastal cities and economically developed regions in North, East, and South China. Dynamic topics primarily encompass social, economic, technical, and policy concerns. WS management falls short of meeting social demands, contradicting convenience trends and causing public dissatisfaction. Fostering technological innovation and initiatives that enhance public sense of belonging can effectively boost public engagement. Special attention should be given to the fee system for rural WS management in key cities and the impact of WS on the residential environment in advanced cities and other cities.