A system dynamics model for evaluating the alternative of type in construction and demolition waste recycling center – The case of Chongqing, China

► A system dynamics model to evaluate alternative type of C&D waste recycling center. ► Key factors: profit; unit recycling cost; extra revenue from location advantage. ► For optimum rate of saving to cost, priority: extra revenue; profit; recycling cost. ► Private fixed recycling center with 100 t/h better than others after 2010 in Chongqing. This paper presents a system dynamics computer model to evaluate alternative type of recycling center under different policy and economy environments through comparison on the economic feasibility of recycling centers and ratio of savings to costs in C&D waste management. A case study for the City of Chongqing, China is selected. Simulated results show three key factors can contribute to the economic feasibility of recycling and the ratio of savings to costs in C&D waste management: (a) profit; (b) unit recycling cost; (c) extra revenue from location advantage (It was assumed that the mobile centers can attain extra revenue from the location advantage compared with fixed recycling centers). The sensitive analysis and comparison on ratios between public and private sector indicate that to achieve the optimum ratio of savings to costs, design of recycling centers and selection of governmental instruments are determined by the priority list: (1) low extra revenue from location advantage; (2) low profit; (3) low unit recycling cost. Meanwhile, the fluctuation of the three factors must be prior to achieve economic feasibility of corresponding recycling centers.