HANGZHOU: Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province in eastern China, has been named one of the United Nations’ “20 Cities Towards Zero Waste,” according to the Hangzhou Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau.
In a letter announcing the selection, the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste said Hangzhou distinguished itself through its strong dedication to zero-waste development and its role in promoting inclusive, sustainable and innovative approaches to waste management.
Home to more than 12.6 million people and with an annual economic output surpassing 2 trillion yuan (around 284.91 billion U.S. dollars), the city has put in place wide-ranging systems for solid waste management and resource recovery.
Between 2021 and 2024, Hangzhou saw a continued reduction in municipal solid waste generation, with average daily waste produced per person falling from 1.06 kilograms to 0.99 kilograms.
These results stem largely from the city’s integrated use of digital technologies in waste sorting and resource utilization. Its smart waste management platform operates in real time, linking 7,361 waste collection sites, 1,780 waste transport vehicles, nine incineration plants and 11 food waste treatment facilities throughout the city.
The letter also stated that Hangzhou’s experience will be published and officially released in connection with the International Day of Zero Waste on March 30, and will be showcased during official commemorative events in Nairobi and New York.
“It represents an endorsement of Hangzhou’s sustained, years-long efforts to build a zero-waste city and to explore the integration of digitalization and the circular economy,” said Gao Yiliang, an official with the Hangzhou Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau.
