From Plastic to Paychecks: A Fisherman’s Eco-Journey
Meet 74-year-old Chen Xiafang, a Taizhou fisherman turning trash into treasure. For six months, he’s earned extra cash by collecting plastic waste along Zhejiang’s coast, delivering it to the 'Little Blue House' recycling hub. 'It’s like a side quest with rewards,' Chen laughs, pocketing ~¥700/month while combatting pollution. 🌊♻️
UN Gold Standard for Eco-Innovation
Zhejiang’s marine waste program—a collaboration between 6,000+ locals and 200+ companies—just scored the UN’s top environmental honor! Using traceable recycling tech, it’s diverted 10,936 tons of coastal debris since 2023, including 2,254 tons of plastic. 'We’re proving communities can profit from sustainability,' says provincial eco-director Lang Wenrong.
Zero Waste Day Goes Global
Timed with March 30’s International Zero Waste Day, China’s doubling down on green goals. Zhejiang’s new Food Delivery Plastic Zero Waste Program targets campuses and skyscrapers, aiming for 100% recycle-ready packaging by 2025. Imagine dorm trash rooms transformed into plastic collection hubs—all managed by students! 🍱📦
From coastal cleanups to app-based alliances, China’s waste war is turning everyday citizens into eco-heroes. Game on, landfills!
