A western Beijing community has gone green to make the State policy on environmental protection a reality.

Over the last year, residents of En Ji Li have been taught to sort and recycle garbage in the special bins supplied in their community and in every household.

"It is vitally important to encourage our citizens to protect the environment, and increase the public's awareness of the issue," said Lin Youbin, senior official with the State Environmental Protection Administration.

Lin said a green community was a place where residents were aware of how they can individually and collectively help preserve the environment and their living space. They should set good examples for the people around them.

"The establishment of green communities can help raise their residents' awareness and cultivate self-discipline," Lin added.

He hoped En Ji Li Green Community could become a model and showcase for other communities in China as provinces and cities explore ways to improve the urban environment and the quality of people's life.

The En Ji Li Green Community is the first foreign-funded environmentally friendly community.

Sponsored by the multinational Michelin, the project is a practical response to the call of "Green Olympics, Green Beijing."

An environmental protection library has been set up and educational posters and lectures are presented to the community regularly.

Community leaders also recognize residents who protect the environment in their daily lives with quarterly awards.

The four residents honored as ''Environmental Protection Stars'' this season share the same belief in green communities, despite their differing ages and educational backgrounds.

Ge Jichang, 82, said the community used to have a lot of environmental problems, such as how to dispose of used plastic bags.

"I strongly support the idea of sorting and recycling garbage. I and the generations that follow are fostering these good habits, which is a good sign for the future," he said.

Michelin, the sponsor of the Green Community Project, expects to select and found another Green Community in East China's Shanghai Municipality.

(China Daily April 7, 2003)