By Mao Xinhui
Recently, resident Guo Xuanyi visited the Shangjingyuan Community Neighborhood Center, not empty-handed this time, but with her child's no longer used ping-pong rackets and a night light for "deposit". It turns out, a new "Idle Bank" has opened here. "These rackets are still quite new, and they could be useful for kids interested in ping-pong. Also, this night light is pretty, but my child has outgrown it, so I hope it will find a new little owner who likes it," said Guo Xuan Yi.
While depositing items at the "Idle Bank," Guo Xuanyi also found something for herself - a butterfly specimen, which she planned to hang on the wall in her foyer.
At the site, the reporter observed shelves neatly arranged with books, toys, plants, and other items brought in by residents. The display shelves themselves were repurposed from spare bookshelves, enhanced with light strips. The process at the "Idle Bank" registering, categorizing, placing items, picking, buying, and dropping payments into a mailbox is entirely self-service.
It's reported that the "Idle Bank" was established under the leadership of the neighborhood committee and initiated by residents. Shangjingyuan is a public rental housing community with a high turnover of residents. Resident Ms. Hu mentioned that previously, hallways often had idle items left by tenants, like wardrobes, shoe racks, and mini-fridges. "It's a pity to throw these things away, and they clutter the space when left unused." Now, these items have found a place to be "rehomed". They are recorded in the ledger of the "Idle Bank" , waiting for new owners to "claim" them. To maintain order, a five-member management team has also been formed.
Zang Qihui, a member of the "Idle Bank" management team, shared that in the future, the community plans to organize quarterly charity sales and other events, where idle items can be exchanged or donated. "The proceeds or items from these activities will either be donated to schools in impoverished mountainous areas or used for community welfare and neighborhood construction, achieving 'recycling'."
