People use a garbage sorting and recycling machine in Jiexiu county, Shanxi province, June 11. [Photo/Shanxi Daily] 

Jiexiu county in Shanxi province has recently introduced an intelligent garbage-sorting and recycling machine, bringing the county into a new era of garbage classification. 

The new machine consists of six containers – an intelligent controller and five bins for paper, plastic, metal, glass, and harmful waste, respectively. 

Residents register by scanning a QR code with WeChat, a popular social networking application, and selecting the category they need. 

The machine will automatically weigh the trash and award points to users accordingly. People can then exchange these points for gifts using a separate machine. 

Jiexiu county plans to install 20 to 30 garbage-sorting and gift machines on main urban main roads and in crowded areas to promote garbage-sorting among locals.