Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province in eastern China, has been selected as one of 20 cities actively pursuing zero waste, according to the Zero Waste Advisory Council, established at the initiative of the UN Secretary-General. The local Bureau of Ecology and Environment announced this.

The council's letter, received by Hangzhou authorities, emphasizes that the city stands out for its strong commitment to zero waste principles and its contribution to developing inclusive, sustainable, and innovative approaches to waste management. With a population of over 12,6 million USD and a gross regional product of over 2 trillion yuan (approximately USD 284,91 billion USD), Hangzhou has successfully implemented comprehensive solid waste management and recycling.

From 2021 to 2024, the volume of municipal waste in the city steadily decreased: the average daily waste per capita decreased from 1,06 kg to 0,99 kg. These results were achieved through the deep integration of digital technologies and artificial intelligence into the entire waste sorting and recycling chain. The intelligent waste management platform connects 7361 collection points, 1780 garbage trucks, 9 waste incinerators, and 11 food waste recycling facilities across the city in real time.

The letter also notes that Hangzhou's experience will be officially presented at the UN on March 30, International Zero Waste Day, as well as at related events in Nairobi and New York. This recognition underscores the Chinese city's role as a global model for sustainable development.