[Photo/xxsb.com]

Tianhe district in Guangzhou strives to build “green bank” – a ‘one-stop’ site pulling together the functions of a resource recycling station, a rest area for sanitation workers and a garbage station for citizens to discard rubbish at convenient, regular times.

The “green bank” features empty dumpster storage,,waste recycling, garbage sorting and a sanitation workers’ rest space. At the sites in Tianhe, citizens are able to earn points after scanning a QR code and putting recyclables into specified trash cans. People can exchange their points for goods, services, or cash.

At the “green banks”, there are three major types of ‘intelligent’ bins for different trash – metal, plastics, and paper. At the stations that have enough space, a recycling bin for fabrics will be provided.

By scanning the QR code, Tianhe residents will log onto a specially designed mini program, on which they can select the type of waste. The trash bin opens automatically when the selection is made, and the points earned added to the account once the recyclables having been deposited in the bin.   

Next to the bins is the resource recycling station covering an area of about 10 square meters, where residents can discard large recyclable items. There is an electronic scales to weigh paper and plastic bottles. A price list hanging on the wall clearly shows the prices of the different types of recyclables, which guarantees price transparency during waste recycling.

Moreover, for citizens who regularly dispose of their rubbish at the site, time slots are provided for the disposal of kitchen garbage and other waste.

Another innovation of the “green banks” is the provision of rest areas for sanitation workers, which are equipped with washrooms, shower cubicles, tables and chairs, newspaper stands, microwave ovens as well as first-aid medical kits.

There are also other two rooms at the sites for storing workers’ sanitation equipment and electric power carts.

To date, 35 "green banks" have been established in Tianhe district. Tianhe plans to convert some public buildings, spaces under bridges and existing sanitation facilities into recycling sites to ensure there is one such site for every 500-meter-area or newly built community with more than 3,000 residents.