China is leading the charge towards a greener future with its ambitious \"waste-free city\" projects. 💚 With over 1 trillion yuan (more than $140 billion) invested during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), the Chinese mainland aims to build over 3,700 waste-free cities.
Since 2019, 113 cities and eight areas have been working hard to reduce solid trash production at the source and boost recycling efforts. This initiative is all about creating sustainable urban environments where waste is minimized and resources are reused efficiently.
In Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, proper disposal of kitchen waste is a key focus. A new kitchen waste treatment project in Zhuhai Fushan Industrial Park, completed in early 2024, can process 500 tonnes of kitchen waste each day. This project not only extracts 8.25 tonnes of crude oil but also generates about 29,000 kilowatt hours of green electricity, powering around 2,900 households. ⚡️🌱
Meanwhile, in Xinchang County, Zhejiang Province, biodegradation is the star player in managing kitchen waste. By separating waste into liquid and solid components, the county purifies the liquid for industrial use and converts the solid waste into feed for black soldier fly larvae. This innovative process turns 60% of the solid waste into adult insects for local fish farmers and the remaining waste into organic manure, generating nearly 18 million yuan ($2.5 million) annually. 🪰✨
Chongqing Municipality is also making strides by repurposing construction waste. Useless building materials are transformed into bricks for sidewalks, showcasing an eco-friendly and economical solution to construction debris. 🧱🌆
Overall, more than 25,000 production and living units across the Chinese mainland are embracing the \"waste-free city\" concept, promoting a green and low-carbon lifestyle from schools to families and society at large. By 2027, it is expected that 60% of Chinese cities will be waste-free, marking a significant step towards environmental sustainability. 🌿🏡
