On October 16, the Economic Daily reported from Beijing that according to the nationwide appliance recycling data platform established by the Ministry of Commerce, as of October 15, a staggering 20.67 million consumers have applied for the program. Out of these, 10.13 million have purchased appliances across eight major categories, acquiring a total of 14.62 million units. This initiative has facilitated central subsidies amounting to 13.17 billion yuan, resulting in sales worth 69.09 billion yuan.

In August of this year, the Ministry of Commerce, along with three other departments, issued a notice to enhance the appliance recycling program. This includes subsidies for consumers purchasing energy-efficient or water-efficient appliances that meet grade two standards or higher across eight categories. Notably, over 90% of the sales in this recycling program are for products with a top energy efficiency rating.

Building on the established subsidy standards for these eight appliance categories, many regions have proactively expanded the list of subsidized items based on local consumer preferences and market conditions, emphasizing sustainability and smart technology. For instance, over 20 provinces, including Hubei and Chongqing, have added water purifiers and robot vacuums to the subsidy list. Additionally, cities like Shanghai have introduced subsidies for elder-friendly products, while Shenzhen has included consumer-grade drones, catering to the diverse needs of consumers.