Old trash bins are relocated to a centralized station in a residential community in Zhoushan, East China. [Photo/zhoushan.cn]

Zhoushan has been promoting household garbage sorting across the city, with local authorities removing old trash bins and asking people to dispose of their garbage at centralized stations.

A total of 69 residential communities were selected as pilot locations for the reform, meaning residents are required to sort their garbage at a fixed time at centralized stations. 

The city has also employed some innovative techniques to encourage residents to sort their waste.

For example, a point system was put in place this month in Zhoushan, in which residents can receive a certain number of points for sorting recyclables, which can later be exchanged for money.

The points obtained can be redeemed at Huazhiyou Supermarket run by Zhejiang Kaihong Group. One hundred points can be exchanged for one yuan ($0.14).

Official data show that residents of the city have accumulated more than 4 million points from sorting their garbage.