Zero Waste | Ready to Build a "Zero Waste Community" Together?

*The zero-waste concept adheres to the 3R principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), which promote minimizing waste generation at its source, maximizing item reuse, and recycling materials that have lost their utility.

Zero waste embodies a sustainable life philosophy, a global endeavor pursued by communities worldwide. From every corner of the globe to China, we face grave waste challenges. Our cities are besieged by garbage, with land and oceans overrun and polluted, posing threats to the environment and human health through the intricate ecological cycles of land, water, and air.

Zero waste is not just about obligations and limitations; it's also a redefinition of life's quality. It prompts us to reevaluate the connections between people and objects, people and their environment, and people and each other.

We firmly believe that the most vital canvas for implementing the zero-waste concept lies within our communities. We aspire to collaborate with community partners to envision a possibility: Can we craft a beautiful and sustainable community where happiness springs not only from consumption but also from resourceful utilization of our surroundings, creating endeavors that benefit our neighborhood and the environment? 

We commence this journey within our neighborhood, focusing on health, nature, and the future of our children. We are redefining the essence of a good life and joining hands to cultivate a new culture within our community. Through community design, we aim to launch "Xinhua Zero Waste" alongside our community partners for deeper and sustained exploration.

At the Xinhua Community Design Center, zero-waste initiatives naturally flourish within the community.

闲置空间设施的活用

闲置二手物品的循环利用

废旧物料的创意再造

社区堆肥实践

  Within just one year of the Xinhua Community Design Center's inception, numerous spontaneous zero-waste initiatives have sprouted. Our aspiration is for these actions not to be fleeting moments but rather to undergo a comprehensive cycle, evolving from initial concepts to refined models that can be replicated and embraced by a broader community of residents.

  Hence, over the next two years, we will establish an innovative practical hub for Shanghai zero-waste community, centered around the "Xinhua Community Design Center." Employing a 3+1+n approach (comprising 3 core scenes, 1 special scene, and n scene extensions), and embracing comprehensive community engagement, we will construct a systematic platform for sustainable operation. This platform will provide ongoing support for residents, allowing them to continue engaging in zero-waste community initiatives.

Scenario 1

Waste type: Domestic waste and activity waste

  The co-working space situated on the second floor of the Community Design Center is experiencing an increasing accumulation of office waste due to the growing number of co-workers. The activities held here draw in a significant number of visitors and neighbors, resulting in a substantial rise in the volume of trash generated, far surpassing typical weekday levels.

    To address this issue, we are actively seeking ways to minimize office waste generation and develop strategies for hosting zero-waste events. We are eager to collaborate with local partners to establish a zero-waste office park, contributing to a more sustainable environment.

  △Co-working space

Scenario 2

Waste type: Green waste, kitchen waste, and construction waste

Xinhua Community Garden, created by residents, embodies the "zero waste" ethos. This commitment extends from repurposing discarded building materials for garden construction and reutilizing second-hand gardening equipment donated by residents to blending green waste with kitchen scraps for on-site composting. In the upcoming phases of this project, the "Seeding Buddies," a collaborative effort in the comunity garden, will partner with local dining establishments like Gaoya Community Kitchen and Community Coffee. Together, we aim to further the cause of sustainability, bridging the gap between our garden and the dining table, and reciprocally enriching both. This continuous cycle will help us collectively establish a model zero-waste community garden, setting an example for others to follow.

  △Community garden built from waste

Scenario 3

Waste type: Idle second-hand items

  Second-hand items are a prevalent source of 'waste' in Xinhua Community Center. Several local organizations, including Free-dowm Exchange Market, Xinhua Toy Exchange House, and UseDEM, have taken voluntary initiatives to exchange, transform, and reuse these items. We are pleased to announce the successful establishment of our Second-Hand Circulation Station in CDC. We are committed to ongoing improvements and upgrades in the future. Our vision is for every community resident to embark on their journey towards zero waste, actively engage in zero waste practices, and collaboratively explore a more sustainable lifestyle.

  △Second-Hand Circulation Station

Pilot - Dongzhen residential area

Waste type: Green waste

  For an extended period, the 13 communities within the Dongzhen residential area of Xinhua Road Subdistrict have grappled with issues like oversized trees causing inconvenience to residents, overgrown foliage, and long-neglected tree pruning. In August of this year, in alignment with Xinhua Road Street's "Micro Projects and Micro Governance" initiative, the Dongzhen Neighborhood Committee, in collaboration with dedicated community resident volunteers, initiated the "Green Branches Returning to Their Roots" campaign. Together, they acquired a branch shredder in partnership with the property management company to process pruned branches directly on-site. This approach not only minimizes the expenses associated with branch removal and transportation but also transforms waste into a valuable resource.

  In the future, the Dongzhen Residential Area will take on the role of a pioneering community, serving as a testing ground for on-site green waste processing. This initiative will not only allow us to apply and refine the valuable insights and outcomes derived from the Community Design Center but also extend these practices throughout the community through comprehensive promotion and implementation.

  △"Green Branches Returning to Their Roots", Dongzhen residential area

The 3+1 scenario mentioned above serves as a representative example among the countless community scenarios we envision. We understand that attaining a zero-waste community necessitates persistent and collective contributions from each resident.

If you wish to contribute to the creation of additional zero-waste community scenes, we invite you to join our efforts, become one of the many, and play your role in realizing our shared vision.

  △Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center, Japan

We invite you to join us in launching an initiative that begins at the community level, delving into the long-term commitment of zero waste within our community.

On 11st, January, we will kick off Xinhua Zero waste , providing a comprehensive insight into the "3+1" scenario within the Xinhua community. We extend an invitation to all to participate in shaping this scenario together and collectively envision a multitude of zero-waste scenarios within the community.

Let's collectively reconsider the core of "zero waste," brainstorm more ideas, and anticipate creativity and enjoyment.

We are looking forward to your involvement in the kick-off event of Xinhua Zero Waste. If you're interested, please scan the QR code to register~

  △

*Scan the QR code or click “阅读原文” at the end of the article to sign up

Seats are limited. Successful registration will be notified before 5th, January.