(File photo)

Domestic waste has always been a headache for many countries. Traditional treatments, such as landfills and incineration, not only pollute the soil, water, and air, but also waste resources.

Because of this, the Chinese government has always been advocating for garbage sorting. The country’s volunteers and public service organizations have also been promoting waste treatment methods to raise public awareness, spreading the concept across the country.

For example, a volunteer called Chen Liwen from Nanyu Village in northern #China’s Hebei province has proposed a garbage sorting plan. After repeated attempts, her plan has been well accepted by local villagers.

By providing three separate trash cans to collect kitchen waste, recyclable waste, and other types of waste, Chen has made garbage sorting a habit for local villagers.

She established a composting plant to treat kitchen waste, greatly improving resource utilization through garbage recycling. In addition, she has raised 100,000 RMB ($10,586) through a public service organization as financial support.

Under her efforts, Nanyu Village has found a proper solution to garbage treatment. The improved ecological environment has also boosted local tourism and the local “bed & breakfast” industry.

With raised awareness for environmental protection, both the Chinese government and citizens have attached great importance to garbage sorting, such as the implementation plan for sorting domestic waste issued this year.

However, environmental protection is a systematic project that calls for comprehensive execution and participation. Chen is an overseas returnee. It is her vision and love for the environment that have encouraged her to join the public service organization and promote garbage sorting.

More and more environmentalists are emerging in China, hoping to make their own contribution to the development of environmental governance and ecological improvement.