BEIJING: Two national-level recycling platforms were launched in Tianjin earlier this month, in a major step toward creating a unified system for resource recovery and reuse across China.
The National Recycled Steel Trading Service Platform and the China Equipment Asset Recycling Platform, both developed by China Resources Recycling Group Co, aim to address long-standing problems in the recycling sector such as regional fragmentation and a lack of transparency.
According to the State-owned enterprise, the digital platforms will use technologies such as artificial intelligence to link information, logistics and capital, helping to turn waste into valuable resources.
“We will apply technologies like AI to integrate information, technology, logistics and capital,” said Zhu Jianchun, deputy Party secretary and general manager of CRRG. “This will help shift the resource recycling industry from isolated regional operations to a coordinated national effort.”
Zhu said greater data transparency would improve industry oversight, strengthen credit systems and stimulate market activity.
CRRG’s recycled steel trading platform has already opened to individual sellers, aiming to simplify scrap metal recycling and boost the supply of green raw materials.
Recycled steel mostly comes from old home appliances and machinery. However, about 90 percent of this material is in the hands of consumers, small vendors, and private collectors, making it difficult to gather on a large scale, according to CRRG.
To tackle this, the enterprise launched a personal trading section on its online steel trading platform. The service uses transparent pricing to attract individual collectors and smaller recycling businesses. Through the platform, they can now easily sell scrap steel to certified companies.
On the platform, individuals can post their scrap steel online, and the system quickly matches them with buyers. Every transaction is recorded and can be fully traced.
The scope of the platforms extends beyond industrial materials to include consumer goods.
A nationwide green supply chain for secure mobile phone recycling has already been launched in 32 major cities.
Residents can use streetside kiosks to conveniently and safely recycle old devices. The service ensures personal data is securely erased, which addresses a key public concern and encourages participation in formal recycling channels. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
