Integrated Kitchen-Waste Recycling

Chengdu, China

Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Highlight

Combines source separation, digital 'cash-for-trash' incentives and specialised organic-waste treatment at city scale.

Extended description

The Chinese city of Chengdu runs an integrated system for managing and recycling kitchen waste. Dedicated containers and collection routes serve households and restaurants, while specialised plants turn organic waste into products such as fertiliser. Residents are encouraged to separate waste through reward schemes ('cash for trash') and apps that pay small sums by weight. The model tackles pollution, recovers value from waste and creates jobs, all at the scale of a megacity.

Sources

goexplorer.org (case reference)