China is accelerating its pursuit of environmentally sustainable urban living through its ambitious "waste-free city" projects. With an investment exceeding 1 trillion yuan (over $140 billion) during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), the country aims to construct more than 3,700 waste-free cities, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
Six years into the initiative, substantial progress has been made. Originally, 11 cities and five areas were selected in 2019 to pilot waste-free projects focused on minimizing solid trash generation and enhancing recycling efforts. Today, 113 cities and eight areas are actively working towards achieving zero waste status.
One notable example is Zhuhai City in Guangdong Province, where proper disposal of kitchen waste is a key focus. In early 2024, Zhuhai Fushan Industrial Park completed a kitchen waste treatment facility capable of processing 500 tonnes daily. This project not only extracts 8.25 tonnes of crude oil each day but also generates approximately 29,000 kilowatt-hours of green electricity, powering around 2,900 households.
In Xinchang County, Zhejiang Province, biodegradation technology is utilized to manage kitchen waste. By separating waste into liquid and solid components, the liquid undergoes industrial purification, while the solid waste is shredded and used to feed black soldier fly larvae. This process converts 60% of the solid waste into adult insects for sale to local fish farmers and transforms the remaining portion into organic fertilizer. Director Chen Kefeng of Xinchang's construction bureau highlighted that this method generates nearly 18 million yuan (over $2.5 million) annually.
Addressing construction waste, Chongqing Municipality has pioneered the transformation of unused building materials into bricks for sidewalks, promoting both environmental friendliness and economic efficiency.
These initiatives target government agencies, enterprises, and educational institutions, with over 25,000 production and living units now practicing the waste-free city concept. This widespread adoption is fostering a green, low-carbon lifestyle across schools, families, and society at large.
Looking ahead, China expects the proportion of waste-free cities to reach 60 percent by 2027, solidifying its commitment to sustainable urban development and setting a global example in environmental stewardship.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
