Collectors treasure trash for cash

In 2000, China began piloting garbage sorting in eight cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, plus Guangzhou and Shenzhen, both in Guangdong province, by installing waste bins on the streets. However, there is a still long way to go, even after nearly two decades.

According to a survey conducted by the Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, more than 92 percent of the over 13,000 interviewees recognized the importance of garbage sorting for environmental protection, but only 30 percent thought they were doing "very well" or "relatively well" in disposing of household waste correctly.

Wu Shunze, director of the research center, said the government should take concrete measures and produce policies to promote garbage sorting, while the rising volume of garbage means trash-sorting businesses need more professionals, and it could take generations to form good habits.

Liu Jianguo, an environment professor at Tsinghua University, said garbage sorting is a long-term process, and step-by-step efforts will be required to tackle the problem.

Cheng Lu, He Xiyue and Qin Jing contributed to the story.

Xinhua