The Shanghai Public Sanitation Bureau says it will transform Laogang Garbage Landfill in Nanhui District - where 70 percent of local trash is dumped - into an "ecological theme park."

According to the plans, the park will cover 830 hectares and feature sculptures made out of junk, bureau officials announced yesterday, although they wouldn't say how much the project will cost.

The bureau has invited domestic and foreign companies to bid on construction contracts for the project, with results to be announced around April 10.

At the theme park, located 60 kilometers away from downtown, visitors will see dinosaurs made of discarded Coke cans, modern sculptures built with old car frames and large areas of grass, said Huang Renhua, deputy director of the Laogang landfill.

"The key in turning a stinky trash yard into a nice park is green plants. We will build 167 hectares of green space consisting of various species of trees, flowers and grasslands in the next two years. They can clean the air and kill bacteria in underground garbage," said Huang.

He added the flowers and plants would be more vivid in the park because of "the abundant organic fertilizer contained in underground garbage."

When the park is completed, an annual waste recycling forum and exhibitions of artwork made of trash will be held there, said Huang.

Currently, the city generates 11,000 tons of garbage a day. That number is expected to grow 5 percent annually, according to the bureau.

According to the bureau's plans, a new landfill site covering 320 hectares will be built 800 meters east of the current site. The new landfill is expected to meet European environmental standards, according to the bureau.

(eastday.com April 8, 2003)