tech

January 16, 2026

‘If you’re flushing the toilet with grey water, people should know’: how China turned rain into an asset

Architects and designers have recycled ancient practice of collecting rainwater to make buildings ecologically friendly

‘If you’re flushing the toilet with grey water, people should know’: how China turned rain into an asset

TL;DR

  • Major Chinese buildings are implementing urban rainwater harvesting (URWH) systems.
  • The Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing can meet at least 50% of its water needs through recycled rainwater.
  • Beijing reuses 50 million cubic meters of rainwater annually, contributing to over 30% of the city's water needs.
  • DJI's new headquarters in Shenzhen features an integrated rainwater harvesting system.
  • URWH is linked to the "sponge city" concept, an urban planning strategy focused on water management.
  • The practice has historical roots in China, dating back to ancient dynasties.
  • China's URWH industry was valued at 126 billion yuan in 2023.
  • Effective URWH requires parallel "grey" water systems for storage, treatment, and repurposing.
  • Architects find URWH an exciting design challenge that enhances user experience and ecological friendliness.

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