As more people buy cars, bicycles are becoming less popular. However, urban mineral resources shouldn't be wasted, said a column in People's Daily (excerpts below).

Have you noticed that there are fewer bicycles in your community? Dusty bicycles no longer in use are becoming a common sight. With more families buying cars, bicycles are gradually losing their function in daily transportation.

However, it is a waste of resources to leave the bicycles in dusty corners. Actually, these bicycles belong to a special type of "urban mineral resources", which includes metal, plastics and rubber materials that are scrapped from our daily life.

Recycling urban mineral resources can save natural resources and curb environmental pollution. According to experts, for every ton of scrap iron and steel that is recycled, we save one ton of raw iron ore, one ton of coal and 1.7 tons of refined ore. Besides, it can also save 40 percent of water and reduce 2.6 tons of slag.

In 2010 alone, China's recycled urban mineral resources reached 167 million tons, worth 500 billion yuan ($81.4 billion). It is estimated that during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15) period the whole industry will reach 1 trillion yuan, creating 18 million jobs.

However, compared with certain developed countries that get almost half of their steel production from scrap iron and steel, China lags behind with only 17 to 20 percent.

To better exploit urban mineral resources, everybody needs to participate. And the way we participate is simple: selling scrap bicycles to recyclers and saving wasted tin cans and beer caps for recycling. That will help keep both our own households and the environment clean.