Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner in Baotou, Inner Mongolia [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner in Baotou, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, has been advancing its zero-waste efforts, according to local media reports.

The efforts are focused on the construction of green factories and green mines, as well as promoting a standardized scale for the breeding of livestock and poultry.

A zero-waste city is an advanced urban development and management model that aims to promote eco-friendly lifestyles, minimize waste, strengthen recycling programs and ensure that harmful waste is not released into the environment.

In January 2019, the General Office of the State Council – China's Cabinet – issued the Pilot Work Plan for the Construction of Zero-Waste Cities.

A total of 11 cities were designated as zero-waste pilot cities by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment on April 30, 2019. Baotou is the only city in the autonomous region to make the list.

By 2020, these cities are expected to have established a comprehensive management system for waste and serve as models for developing other zero-waste settlements.

The banner continues to promote the construction of green brands for agriculture and animal husbandry.

To enhance the competitiveness of agricultural and livestock products and improve the efficiency of agriculture and animal husbandry, several green brand agricultural and livestock products that are high quality, competitive and have a strong market reputation have been cultivated.

The banner has organized related companies to participate in large-scale agricultural trade fairs throughout the country, making full use of the exhibition platforms to boost local organic farming and livestock products.

Also, Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner has comprehensively promoted the development of green mines and tourism.

Up to now, five autonomous region-level green mines, including Shibao Iron Mine and Bayan Obo West Mine, have been built.

The banner relies on its unique natural resources to develop grassland ecological tourism and has been rated as an autonomous region-level demonstration area for all-for-one tourism.