(ECNS) -- A scenic spot in Southwest China's Sichuan Province has opened a "garbage bank" that pays "interest" such as free tours to visitors who collect and deposit rubbish, Sichuan Daily reports.
Tan Zhiquan, director of administration at Hailuogou scenic spot in Ganzi Autonomous Prefecture, said the scenic spot finally figured out a cost-effective plan after disccusion -- to encourage tourists to reduce litter, a big headache in the past.
The Hailuogou "garbage bank" was officially opened in February 2015. It is headquartered in Moxi town, a tourist center, with branches set up across the whole area.
Tourists can ask for trash bags at various outlets and "deposit" garbage they collect during sightseeing, which the scenic spot then sends to a local treatment plant.
Depending on the amount of trash they collect, tourists may get other rewards including postcards, flowers, souvenirs and tickets to local parks. The highest prize is the title of "Hailuogou Environmental Ambassador" that allows recipients to visit the scenic spot free of charge for five years.
So far, 20 Chinese tourists have won a free trip.
Zhang Li, a resident in Jiangyou of Sichuan Province, said her 7-year-old son became a "Hailuogou Environmental Ambassador" for collecting 12 bags of rubbish.
"A free trip is not the most important thing," she said. "The point is that children should develop good habits."
Deng Zengjun, director of Hailuogou's property management center, told the paper the garbage bank has helped reduce litter around the area by two-thirds as well as the number of needed sanitation workers to seven, down from the previous 11.
Xiao Feng, director of Ganzi's tourism development commission, said it plans to extend the model to various other scenic spots in the prefecture.
