Guilin aspires to become ‘Zero Waste City’

A training seminar for the construction of "Zero Waste City" was held in Guilin.

On July 12, 2023, a training seminar was held in Guilin for the construction of "Zero Waste City". The initiative has been included in Guilin's "14th Five-Year Plan" for environmental protection. Its key task is to develop Guilin into a world-class tourist city.

During the seminar, officials from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region's Department of Ecology and Environment provided guidance on the construction of "Zero Waste City". Representatives from relevant departments in Hainan province's Sanya, a city that has already implemented the concept of "Zero Waste City", shared the city's experiences. Additionally, experts from the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences provided an analysis of the "Implementation Plan for the Construction of 'Zero Waste City' in Guilin as well as an explanation of the key points and a list of things to accomplish.

The plan is based on the goal of establishing Guilin as a world-class tourist city. It focuses on addressing challenges such as the disposal of historical solid waste, the prevention and control of agricultural non-point source pollution, and household waste classification. It outlines eight major tasks, covering various sectors including industry, agriculture, healthcare, and tourist attractions. The plan requires the cultivation of "Zero Waste Cells", such as "Zero Waste Schools", "Zero Waste Hotels" and "Zero Waste Scenic Areas". It calls for the systematic and collaborative construction of a "Zero Waste Landscape" based on regional tourism resources like the "Two Rivers and Four Lakes".

Moving forward, Guilin will issue the "Key Points and Task List for the Construction of 'Zero Waste City' in 2023", which will provide detailed tasks for each area of work and specify the requirements for establishing specific indicators, systems, technologies, and regulatory frameworks.

According to the implementation plan, Guilin will prioritize ecological tourism and specialty agriculture as the two key drivers. There will be a focus on developing circular agriculture and the deep processing industry of specialty agricultural products. The goal is to build "Zero Waste Villages" and achieve a high-quality development model that synergizes "Red + Green" ecological tourism and green industries. To accomplish this, the city will implement the "Low-carbon Tourism" initiative, exploring pilot projects such as low-carbon scenic areas and low-carbon tourism routes, with the aim of creating an internationally influential "Low-carbon Tourism" demonstration zone.

Simultaneously, Guilin will explore multiple channels for resource utilization of agricultural solid waste, including agricultural film, straw, and livestock manure. Efforts will be made to establish a number of national and regional-level modern agricultural industrial parks, technology parks, and distinctive areas for specialty agricultural products.

All members of the "Zero Waste City" construction task force will cooperate and plan projects that align with its objectives. Pilot projects will be encouraged to accumulate valuable experiences and best practices. A strong emphasis will be placed on publicity and guidance, widely promoting the concept of green, low-carbon, and "Zero Waste", while encouraging increased participation from enterprises, social organizations, and the public. The aim is to fully harness the initiative and involvement of all stakeholders.