Existing research has documented that public attitudes towards waste incineration plants are determined by various factors, such as risk perception, perceived benefits, and social trust. However, the diversity in perceptions within and among communities hosting waste incineration plants has not been adequately explored. To fill this re-search gap, the present paper employed Q methodology to examine the perceptions of local residents on a waste incineration plant in Xuzhou City in the Jiangsu Province of China. The results revealed four perspectives on waste incineration plants: I do not trust them and I feel besieged by risks; I trust local governments but I am unfairly treated; I am unfairly treated. I attach this place a lot; I possess knowledge of waste incineration and I feel besieged by risks. These perspectives suggest there is space and possible venues to shape local residents’ attitudes toward waste incineration plants.

 

locally unwanted land use; local Acceptance; waste Incineration plant; Q-methodology; China