In 2012, tons of recyclable waste ended up in several waste disposal hubs in Beijing's suburbs. People who worked there usually lived in shacks of a few square meters in a dirty and stinky environment. /Chinadaily Photo

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in November 2012, Beijing has adopted measures to clean these disposal hubs to echo the national strategy of enhancing ecological civilization. /Chinadaily Photo

In 2017, China Daily returned to the villages and compared the current situation with photos taken five years ago. Meadows and lines of seedlings have replaced the waste areas. /Chinadaily Photo

New disposal hubs have been built in planned areas outside Beijing and equipped with new technology and infrastructure that makes recycling more eco-friendly and efficient. /Chinadaily Photo