China Daily:

We have learned that Hangzhou aims to make the Hangzhou Asian Games the first zero-waste large comprehensive sports event in the world, and it has also upheld the concept of a "zero-waste city" throughout the Games. How can we ensure in our planning and implementation the reduction and reuse of solid wastes as much as possible and realize 100% safe disposal? Thank you.

Li Yanyi:

Thank you for your question. In preparing and organizing the Asian Games, Zhejiang has adhered to hosting a "green, smart, economical, and ethical" Asian Games. We have launched the "zero-waste Asian Games" action plan, released 10 proposals for a "zero-waste Asian Games," and advanced the development of 16 demonstration sites of "zero-waste Asian Games cells," sparing no effort to create the first large zero-waste sports event in the world. Here, I will use the construction of our venue as an example to give a brief introduction.

In the venue layout and planning phase, we followed the principle of "renovating instead of building, repairing instead of replacing, renting instead of buying" to make full use of existing venues and facilities. Initially, Mr. Yao mentioned in his introduction that among the 56 Asian Games venues, 44 were renovated or temporarily built. That means there are only 12 newly built venues. Among the 19 Asian Para Games venues, 17 are shared with the Asian Games, and the other two venues have also been renovated. In the design phase, we formulated guidelines for Green and Healthy Architecture Design for the 19th Asian Games to maximize the utilization of clean and renewable energy by optimizing the design of architectural structures. For example, many venues use natural lighting to save energy and recycle rainwater and thermal energy through circulation systems. In the construction phase, we focused on reducing solid waste at the source and recycling it, prioritizing the use of green construction materials, recycling construction waste, and adopting BIM technologies to save construction materials and energy consumption. At the same time, we advanced waste reduction at the source in all areas, including green accommodation, frugal catering, paperless events, and promoting renewable materials, integrating the concept, behavior, and model of zero waste into the entire process, all areas, and all sectors from the preparation and organization to the future use after the Asian Games. Thank you!