European Union, 2024

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EU-China Cooperation for a Clean Future: Swedish Smart Automatic Waste Collection System

Location: Tongzhou, Beijing

European Union, 2024

European Union, 2024

Xiaoyu Sylvia cycled 20 km to Tongzhou this week, reducing her carbon footprint by 4 kg. Her ride shows that we can contribute to environment protection by simply commuting by bike. Low-carbon transportation like cycling is an effective way by which citizens an reduce their carbon footprint.

She visited a project in Tongzhou developed in partnership with a Swedish company, which provides an automatic system of waste collection system, supported by technologies of energy efficiency. This is a good example of EU-China cooperation to promote cleaner and more sustainable cities. It also displays the potential of partnerships between the EU and China in sharing environmental technologies and management practices.  

The general manager of ENVAC Beijing gave Xiaoyu a tour around the facilities, where she learned about this automatic system of waste treatment, its operation and how it can contribute to environmental protection. The system uses aerodynamics to collect waste and centralise the processing of waste, so reducing litter, keeping the environment cleaner, and promoting sustainability. Remarkably, the project cuts carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional systems of waste collection. This allows to reduce the number and mileage of waste collection vehicles, as well as to reduce noise pollution around the neighbourhoods. Xiaoyu was impressed by the system’s efficiency and environmental impact. She believes that such projects can greatly improve urban environments and living conditions for cities inhabitants.

Xiaoyu has witnessed the impact of this environmental project and she now holds high expectations for future breakthroughs in green technology. After the visit, she is confident that EU-China cooperation and technological innovation can make even greater contributions toward creating a more sustainable world.

Environmental Protection Frontier in Tianjin: EU-China Cooperation for Green Innovation

Location: Tianjin Economic Development Area

European Union, 2024

European Union, 2024

During her visit to Tianjin, Xiaoyu cycled 8 km, reducing her carbon footprint by around 1.6 kg. Her journey provided valuable insights into the outcomes of EU-China cooperation in low-carbon industries and environment restoration. Her first stop was Ziyun Park, a former dumping site of alkaline waste, recently transformed through a process of environmental restauration and repurposing of industrial waste. Now a leisure space for the community, the park embodies principles of environmental protection.

In conversation with European business leaders in Tianjin, Xiaoyu learned that European factories in the city offer education and internship opportunities to local university students. This initiative helps young people gain a deeper understanding of and participate in the low-carbon industry, while also providing a platform for their career development and raising their environmental awareness. Later, Xiaoyu met with Professor Zhang from Nankai University, who explained that through the EU-China Research Project on Low-Carbon Pathways for the Chemical Industrys, Chinese participants felt inspired by urban low-carbon practices and advanced experiences shared by EU experts. Xiaoyu believes that these projects not only contribute to the protection of global environment, but also promote a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle for local people.

Xiaoyu was particularly impressed by the EU-China Research Project on Low-Carbon Pathways for the Chemical Industry. She gained a deeper understanding of the importance of the low-carbon industry and expressed hope for continued EU-China collaboration in advancing green innovation. The project not only supports the green transition of the local economy; it also enhances the urban environment through environmental remediation and industrial waste repurposing.

Xiaoyu’s cycling trip was rewarding today! It marked her first experience with low-carbon industries firsthand. She hopes to see even more EU-China collaboration that promote a transition to greener and sustainable economies.

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The Sustainability Tour 2024 continues next week in Beijing with Xiaoyu Sylvia! She will explore three more examples of EU-China collaboration initiatives. Stay tuned!