A machine harvests straw efficiently in Deqing county, Huzhou. [Photo/Tide News]

Deqing county in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, is exploring new straw utilization models to transform what was once seen as an ecological burden into a source of green wealth.

In Xinshi town, the straw recycling efforts are in full swing. With the addition of bundling equipment, the crop straw storage center has efficiently stored over 8,000 metric tons of rice straw since the end of October 2024.

To alleviate the burden on farmers, the crop straw storage center offers a comprehensive service from collection to transportation, free of charge. This initiative not only saves money for farmers but also boosts operational efficiency, allowing them to focus on preparing for winter crop sowing.

At Quxi Enterprise Management Co in Quxi village, discarded straw is processed into wood fiber powder and transported to Jiaxing and Jinhua for making paper.

According to General Manager Tang Yao, the company handles nearly 10,000 tons of rice straw annually, with an output of nearly 50,000 tons of wood fiber powder, which can increase the collective income of nearly 1 million yuan (around $136,400) for the village.

At Junong (Huzhou) New Energy Technology Co, the entire process of straw carbonization takes only 15 minutes, attributed to the intelligent carbonization equipment.

Through remote computer control, each unit can process approximately 30 to 50 tons of material daily, producing eight to 12 tons of biochar for soil improvement and insulation materials production, said Chairman Shen Bin.

In 2024, Deqing county recycled and used over 98 percent of straws from crops, according to the bureau of agriculture and rural affairs in the county.