China will speed up the construction of "urban minerals"

I recently learned from the inaugural 'Urban Mining' Expo that during the '12th Five-Year Plan' period, China is anticipated to save approximately 1.155 billion tons of standard coal and reduce 720 million tons of CO2 emissions through the development of 'urban mining.' Over the past few years, China has established 29 national-level 'urban mining' demonstration zones. During the '12th Five-Year Plan,' the country plans to establish 100 comprehensive resource utilization demonstration zones and another 50 specialized 'urban mining' demonstration zones. According to a senior official from the China Recycling Resources Recycling Association, China has now entered a peak phase for the disposal of electronic and automotive products. The volume of discarded items has been rising annually. It's projected that over the coming years, at least 15 million home appliances and tens of millions of mobile phones will enter their end-of-life stages each year. By 2020, the number of discarded electronic devices is expected to reach 137 million units annually, while the number of scrapped vehicles will increase to between 4 and 6 million per year. By 2020, the total number of vehicles on the road will surpass 14 million. These urban wastes contain a wealth of recyclable resources. Their value is comparable to that of traditional mineral resources, earning them the nickname 'urban minerals.' In some developed countries, the recycling of these 'urban mineral resources' has evolved into a key local industry, with significant contributions to environmental protection, resource conservation, and sustainable development becoming increasingly apparent. According to the same association representative, during the '11th Five-Year Plan' period, China utilized 'urban mineral resources' totaling 630 million tons. For every 10,000 tons of recycled materials, approximately 41,200 tons of natural resources were saved, reducing waste by 60,000 to 100,000 tons. The growing focus on 'urban mining' not only highlights the vast potential for resource recovery but also underscores the pressing need for sustainable practices in our rapidly industrializing society. As more countries look toward China as an example, the global push for greener solutions becomes ever stronger. In conclusion, embracing this initiative is not just about managing waste but transforming it into a valuable resource that can drive economic growth while safeguarding our environment. The future of 'urban mining' looks bright, and its impact on our planet could be transformative.