Hu's team now cooperates with Zhejiang VisionBlue Technology Co to recycle collected ocean plastics.

"Thanks to the establishment of the Little Blue House, collected plastics can be sold to enterprises at higher prices, and the process of recycling plastics has become more streamlined," Hu said.

Plastic bottles now fetch 10 yuan per kilogram from recycling companies, which sustains the operation of the Little Blue House and provides income for workers like Yang. The above-market price paid for the plastic is passed on further down the production chain.

"We also use the money to buy work clothes for fishermen who participate, as they don't gain much from collecting garbage," Hu said.

Last summer, the county government stepped in with a new online system that rewards fishermen with points for collecting ocean waste, which they can use to purchase items from local supermarkets.

Adapting to this new digital system was a challenge for these volunteers. "We had to learn how to use the camera app and the points system, then teach fishermen how to use it," Hu said.

These efforts are crucial for tracking the origin of plastics, ensuring that they can be sold at a higher price as ocean plastics, a key link in the circular economy emphasizing environmental benefits. The photos, with location details, help trace the plastics from the sea to the shelves.

In addition to ocean plastics collected by fishermen on their trawlers, the Little Blue House also provides opportunities for people with disabilities or the unemployed to collect plastic waste washed up on the shore, contributing to the endeavor while making some money.

"There is less plastic garbage in the sea recently," Yu said. "The quality of crabs has also improved this year."

lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn