China's largest volcanic island is ramping up its environmental protection efforts through sustainable practices like waste reduction and recycling to preserve its ecosystems and promote eco-friendly tourism.
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region's Weizhou Island, located in the Beibu Gulf of the South China Sea, is also the youngest volcanic island in China. It is renowned for unique coastal landscapes, rich marine ecology, and the quaint charm of its fishing villages. A national geological park was established on the island in 2004.
In 2010, the island received about 1.2 million visitors, and by 2024, the number had risen to over 2.2 million.
The surge in the number of tourists has put immense pressure on the small island, which covers only 25 square kilometers, with waste management being the most pressing issue.
Kitchen waste makes up 60 percent of the total garbage on Weizhou Island. Local beds and breakfasts (BnBs) are addressing the issue by using ecological composting to process its organic waste.
"This small bin can process up to one ton of kitchen waste within three months. The compost is used for planting flowers and grass in the yard. Sometimes, villagers come to ask for some to use in their fields," said Xu Xiaochen, a BnB owner.
The island is encouraging all residents to participate in its zero-waste initiative.
Currently, over 50 "zero-waste" demonstration sites are established across the island, and more than 400 restaurants have undergone green transformation.
"We encourage all residents, visitors, and businesses to enhance resource recycling while reducing practices that harm the environment. By doing so, we can create an ecological island where humans and nature live in harmony," said Zhang Shi, an official with the Weizhou Island Tourism Management Committee.
China's largest volcanic island ramps up environmental protection efforts
