Roaming recycling bins introduced at Shanghai Disney Resort

Guests at Shanghai Disney Resort are being encouraged to learn more about recycling methods with the introduction of a roaming recycling bin. This comes at a time when Shanghai is increasing its efforts to promote household waste sorting and recycling.

The walking and talking recycling bin named Xiao Tui, will travel the pathways of Shanghai Disneyland throughout April, welcoming guests and spreading helpful environmental messages. 

According to the resort, as well as chatting with guests, Xiao Tui will also help promote the benefits of recycling and sorting, encouraging everyone to take action by emphasising how small changes can have a positive effect on the environment around them.

“Environmental care and protection have been a key part of Shanghai Disney Resort since day one, and throughout April we are excited to be able to share our commitment and daily environmental practices with our guests,” said Joe Schott, President and General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort.

Shanghai will enact a set of regulations on household garbage sorting and recycling from 1st July. Individuals and organisations will be asked to shoulder responsibilities to classify garbage according to the waste categories of recyclable, hazardous, wet, and dry.

The city will also introduce more environmentally-friendly packing materials and promote economical packaging standards against over-packaging.

This follows the passing of a new regulation by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress on 31st January, which marks another step towards the city’s goal to build a comprehensive domestic waste-sorting system and have 35% of its waste recycled by the end of 2020.

In 2018, Shanghai households produced nearly 26,000 tons of waste a day, straining the capacity of the city’s waste management facilities and posing a threat to the environment. Most of the waste was treated at the city’s landfills or incinerators.

The new regulation specifies that waste needs to be completely sorted, from disposal to collection to transportation and at the final treatment phase. Collectors can refuse to pick up waste that is not sorted as required.

The regulation also bans hotels and caterers from offering disposable products such as toothbrushes and chopsticks for one-time use.

Since 2018, a pilot scheme that requires residents to sort their rubbish has been in effect in several of Shanghai’s districts. Residents who sort well are rewarded points that can be exchanged for prizes.

Despite some initial confusion and inconvenience, residents have mostly responded positively willing to contribute to the well-being of the next generation.