A solid waste recycling counter in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

A publicity campaign launched by Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province to raise public awareness of the recycling and utilization of textile waste recently won the ISWA Communication Award.

This is the first time that China has won an award conferred by ISWA (International Solid Waste Association), which is an international network of waste professionals and experts.

The ISWA Communication Award honors excellent waste communication campaigns that increase public awareness and promote sustainable waste management.

Ningbo stood out from more than 100 contestants to win the award following the final panel review.

Ningbo has introduced recyclable bins to over 1,400 residential communities in its central urban area since 2018, with 7,808 metric tons of waste fabrics being recycled.

In addition, 300-plus promotional activities have also been staged in the city to increase people's awareness in this regard.

In the next three years, the local government plans to make recyclable bins available in all its central urban areas. It is estimated that 7,000 tons of waste fabrics will be recycled every year. 

China produces about 24 million tons waste textiles annually, with the recycling rate being less than three in ten thousand.