Asian Development Bank (ADB) organized a high-level training titled, Circular Economy and Sustainable Solid Waste Management from 12 to 16 May 2025 in Shaoxing, China. Among the highlights was the presentation of “Shangyu Model” for sustainable waste management, delivered by Li Jun, General Manager of Shaoxing Shangyu District Materials Recycling Co., Ltd. The model has become a shining example of how circular economy principles can be embedded in waste management, transforming environmental governance into a practical blueprint for sustainability.
First launched in 2018, the “Shangyu Model” is underpinned by five strategic pillars that together form a comprehensive system of collection, processing, governance, and engagement. This approach demonstrates that sustainability is achievable not merely through isolated recycling initiatives but through a systemic reimagining of how waste is managed across urban and rural settings.
The first pillar is One Network, designed to implement the operations seamlessly across the entire district. Shangyu has built two advanced sorting centres supported by 105 urban collection points and 302 rural stations, ensuring that every household has convenient access to recycling facilities. Residents can request for waste collection service through digital platforms or hotlines, while scheduled trucks handle up to 200 tonnes of recyclables daily. This integrated network has made responsible waste disposal effortless, bridging the urban–rural divide.
The second pillar, Integrated Processing, converts waste into valuable resources. Gaoba and Lianghu, the district’s two dedicated centres, handle close to 300 tonnes of metals, plastics, paper, and hazardous waste streams every day. This system has achieved a recycling rate of 68.37%, with 100% of collected materials either recovered or safely treated—ensuring that no materials, regardless of value, is left to pollute the land or waterways.
The third pillar is End-to-End Standards, embedding professionalism and accountability throughout the entire process chain. Shangyu enforces rigorous standards known as the “Six Unifications”—from branding and equipment to pricing and service protocols. More than 100 informal waste collectors have been trained, certified, and formally employed, creating skilled jobs and ensuring consistency from kerbside collection to final waste processing.
The fourth pillar, Public–Private Partnership, reflects the crucial role of governance. Strong policy support has underpinned the success of this programme. For example, five specific regulations were introduced, embedding the programme into the departmental performance evaluations, and committing more than RMB 23.95 million to drive the programme. This alignment of policy, finance, and accountability demonstrates how government and enterprise can collaborate to deliver long-term environmental impact.
The final pillar is Community Engagement, recognising that sustainable systems thrive when the citizens are active participants. Public education centres, youth outreach programmes, and school-based initiatives such as the “Milk Carton Recycling” campaign have recovered more than 5 tonnes of cartons and have engaged 15,000 young people through 150 awareness events. By embedding environmental stewardship in the daily life of residents, Shangyu is nurturing the next generation of circular economy champions.
Collectively, these five pillars embody the essence of the circular economy: closing loops, creating value, and empowering communities. More than a local initiative, the Shangyu Model has been recognised by Zhejiang Province as one of its seven flagship waste management case studies. Its success provides not only environmental security for Shaoxing but also a replicable framework for cities worldwide seeking sustainable, low-carbon development.
The lesson is clear. Sustainable solid waste management requires more than incremental change; it demands systemic innovation. The Shangyu Model shows that by weaving together infrastructure, governance, and community, waste can be transformed from a liability into an engine of social, economic, and environmental renewal. It is, quite simply, a blueprint for the future.