Intelligent waste collection and sorting machines seen on a roadside in Shenzhen. Courtesy of Futian District’s urban management authority
Shenzhen has recently introduced a groundbreaking addition to its streets — intelligent waste collection and sorting machines that reward citizens with cash for recycling, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.
The new initiative aims to create a more environmentally conscious and efficient approach to waste disposal, the report said.
Unlike traditional waste collection methods, the intelligent machines operate with cutting-edge technology, offering a seamless and rewarding recycling experience. With just a simple scan of a QR code, citizens can open the machine and deposit sorted recyclables like plastic products, cartons and paper. Once the electronic scale accurately measures the weight of the items, users receive 0.8 yuan (US$0.11) per kilogram of recycled material. And, as an added convenience, when the accumulated amount reaches 10 yuan, citizens can easily withdraw the money through WeChat.
The ingenuity of this system lies in its full automation, eliminating the need for full-time supervisors.
Once the intelligent recycling machines near full capacity, the background system swings into action. Real-time data, including fill levels and traffic conditions, enable the system to optimize collection routes and deploy vehicles for emptying the machines within half an hour.
But the benefits don’t stop there. The recyclables collected by these innovative machines undergo processing in specialized factories. Once transformed, they can re-emerge as eco-friendly public facilities, such as benches and table tennis tables, which will benefit local communities.
Taking the lead in embracing this novel approach, Futian District, as Shenzhen’s central urban area, has selected one urban village (Tianmiancun) and two residential compounds (Lianhuayicun and Qiaoxiangcun) as pilot sites for these smart machines. A total of 19 of the machines have been installed, marking a promising start for the city’s transformative waste management campaign.
Futian District’s urban management authority plans to expand the initiative across the entire district to ignite the public’s enthusiasm for garbage sorting while offering fresh insights into improving the city’s overall waste management strategy.