Huaniao Island in Shengsi county, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province [Photo/WeChat account: zjzsqdxq]

Huaniao Island in Shengsi county, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, has over the past two decades been making efforts to protect its ecological environment and pursue sustainable development.

For instance, the island has been exploring ways to encourage residents to that end and has established a garbage classification rewarding system. According to the system, those who do well can get reward points and they can exchange them for daily necessities such as soap and detergent.

An art museum featuring artifacts made of recycled plastic bottles, cans and foam boxes, as well as paintings inspired by the concept that human beings should live in harmony with nature, was also set up on the island, which is playing a vital role in strengthening residents' awareness of environmental protection, said Yan Jian, who created the museum.

Authorities also rolled out measures to encourage residents to use abandoned materials such as millstones and bricks and tiles to decorate their living environment, and to encourage home supply merchants not to offer disposable toiletries.

Named as one of China's beautiful leisure villages and a national 4A tourist attraction, the island provides a glimpse into Zhoushan's sustainable development path over the past 20 years, including treating sewage, improving air quality and setting industry standards for ship repair and fish meal processing.