Moving with the green times: The Yuxian County Economic and Technological Development Zone. [Photo/WeChat account of Yangquan Radio and Television Station]

Known for its mineral riches, Yuxian county in Yangquan city – located in North China's Shanxi province – has embraced a circular economy model to turn solid waste into valuable assets.

At Ouyeel Lianjin (Yangquan) Recycling Resources Co in the Yuxian County Economic and Technological Development Zone, electromagnets sort and process scrap metal into new steel products.

The approach not only converts waste into resources but also reduces the need for raw materials extraction and lowers energy consumption in steel production.

Historically, the county faced challenges in managing its industrial solid waste, such as coal gangue and smelting slag.

However, advancements in technology have now enabled it to transform waste into energy, precious metals and eco-friendly construction materials. This shift from traditional waste management to a circular economy is widely said to have cut costs and generated new revenue streams.

To support this transition, Yuxian has leveraged its status as a national model for solid waste utilization, establishing industrial parks and attracting 17 recycling companies.

The introduction of the Shanxi Haike Industrial Waste Resource Application R&D Center has reportedly further bolstered the county's capabilities.

Yuxian aims to expand its circular economy by 2025, with plans for new industrial parks and increased materials recycling – promising economic and environmental benefits.