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This study aims to find the generation characteristics of household waste (HW) in a peri-urban area and establish an optimal HW management system to improve inhabitants living environment and for energy saving and pollution abatement. Jimei District, Xiamen, was chosen as a case study and 10 representative communities were selected as study areas. Questionnaires and a field survey were applied to investigate the characteristics of peri-urban area HW generation. After combining the results for communities of different urbanisation levels, representative communities were classified into three groups. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the current HW management system and a proposed integrated management system were compared. The results show that the integrated HW management system would achieve greater energy savings and GHG mitigation. Emissions from HW management in the lowest urbanised communities remained highest. However, the relationship between emissions and community urbanisation level was not completely linear. Finally, three kinds of integrated management strategy for HW generated from different community groups are proposed and suggestions given to establish an optimal integrated HW management system for peri-urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]