Discarded flowers, tangerines recycled

At a collection center for discarded flowers and tangerines in a residential community in the Dongshan subdistrict of Guangzhou, Guangdong province, sanitation workers have been busy separating branches, soil, pots and tangerines after the Spring Festival holiday.

After being separated, the tangerines were delivered to a local waste sorting and education center, where they were washed and mixed with red sugar, water and other materials in sealed containers to produce environmentally friendly enzymes.

After the Spring Festival holiday, which ended on Feb 17 this year, Guangzhou residents usually throw away the flowers and tangerines used to decorate their homes in celebration of Chinese Lunar New Year.

Using discarded tangerines to produce enzymes has become an effective way to reduce garbage after the holiday, according to Li Song, deputy director of the subdistrict.

"We can produce approximately 40 barrels of enzymes each year in the subdistrict," Li said, adding that they have made enzymes out of discarded tangerines for eight years.

"Temporary collection points for discarded flowers and tangerines have been set up," she said.

The enzymes can be used for household cleaning and watering plants, effectively turning waste into treasure, Li said.

The recycling idea has been promoted across all 18 subdistricts in Dongshan district, according to the district urban management authorities.

Enzymes are provided for free as promotional materials to residents, conveying the concept of low-carbon environmental protection and guiding more residents to actively participate in household waste classification, the urban management authorities said.

In addition, flowerpots can be reused or recycled by residents. The soil, which is rich in nutrients, can be used as organic fertilizer for community greening or included in residual sludge treatment. Flowers and branches can be replanted or utilized.

By the end of February, 703 metric tons of discarded flowers and tangerines had been processed in Yuexiu district, 138 tons more than in the same period last year, according to the district government.

The resource utilization rate of discarded flowers and tangerines has reached 97 percent, effectively reducing waste.

Such recycling has been widely promoted across the city, according to the local urban management authorities.

In Shima village, Baiyun district, a major peach planting base, farmers process discarded peach blossom branches into handicraft bracelets, while also replanting potted peach blossoms, achieving secondary utilization of the resources.