Based on a sample of companies from G7 countries, we investigate the effect of eco-innovation on waste management as well as the moderating role of firms’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) on this relationship. Our findings indicate that a higher level of eco-innovation might lead to a decline in firms’ total waste produced and an increase in firms’ magnitude of reusing and recycling waste. Likewise, our findings are associative with a moderating effect of ESG on the eco-innovation-waste management nexus. We argue that eco-innovation, along with better ESG performance, leads to a reduction in waste produced and thus better business waste management. Our study has several implications on micro- and macroeconomic levels. Countries should revisit their national strategies and domestic policies about circular economies to form international alliances and embrace more technological development.

我们以七国集团 (G7) 国家的公司样本为基础，研究了生态创新对废物管理的影响，以及公司的环境、社会和治理 (ESG) 对这种关系的调节作用。我们的研究结果表明，更高水平的生态创新可能会导致企业产生的废物总量下降，并增加企业再利用和回收废物的程度。同样，我们的研究结果与 ESG 对生态创新与废物管理关系的调节作用相关。我们认为，生态创新以及更好的 ESG 绩效可以减少废物的产生，从而改善商业废物管理。我们的研究对微观和宏观经济水平有几个影响。各国应重新审视循环经济的国家战略和国内政策，形成国际联盟并拥抱更多的技术发展。