China has unveiled an ambitious environmental roadmap to transform every city across the nation into a waste-free zone by 2035. According to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the initiative represents a fundamental shift in urban management, moving away from traditional disposal toward a sophisticated system where waste is treated as a resource rather than a burden.

The plan sets clear milestones for the coming decade. By 2027, the government expects 60 percent of China's cities to have met "waste-free" standards, with the goal of reaching full coverage by 2035.

This massive transition is already gaining momentum. Over the past five years, over 110 cities have launched 3,000 specific projects, supported by an investment of approximately 560 billion yuan (about $77 billion).

Deputy minister Li Gao told reporters that the ministry plans to expand the program to 200 additional cities over the next five years to accelerate this transition. The strategy will prioritize China's most powerful economic hubs, such as the Yangtze River Delta and the Greater Bay Area, encouraging these regions to share infrastructure and technology

In practice, a waste-free city does not mean a total absence of trash. Instead, it refers to an urban model focused on the circular economy – minimizing the creation of waste at the source and maximizing the recycling of industrial, agricultural, and household materials. The ultimate goal is to reduce the environmental impact of urban living to near zero.