People learn how to use intelligent bins in Lanhuwan residential area in Zhangjiagang. [Photo/WeChat account: zjgcitynews]

The first intelligent waste sorting stations have recently been introduced in Lanhuwan residential area in Zhangjiagang, East China’s Jiangsu province.

Each station consists of four bins, one for kitchen waste, one for recyclables, one for hazardous waste, and one for other waste. There is also a touch screen showing information about waste sorting.

So far, information on more than 350 households in the area has been collected on the stations’ cloud computing platform.

Residents must prove their identity through an app on WeChat, or through the facial recognition system at the station, before disposing of waste. This makes it easy to locate and punish people who dispose of waste incorrectly.

The bins are also equipped with automatic weighing devices. Residents will receive points based the weight of their garbage, which can be exchanged for rewards.

"Many local companies have set up funds to award individuals for their outstanding contributions to the promotion of waste sorting," said the operator of the intelligent waste stations.

Officials said four-category waste sorting will be introduced to about 30 percent of residential areas in Zhangjiagang by the end of this year, and to the entire city by the end of 2020.