Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region has started operating its first renewable resources recycling market in the regional capital of Lhasa to reduce garbage on the roof of the world, authorities said Friday.

"The market has filled the gap in Tibet in recycling renewable resources to change the current situation," said Zhai Xincheng, secretary general of Tibet Resource Recycling Association.

Currently, Tibet generates 350,000 tonnes of renewable waste and recycles only 200,000 tonnes annually, while most waste generated in Tibet is transported to other regions and recycled there, statistics from the association suggest.

"Inadequate and disordered recycling in Tibet has seriously affected the urban environment," said Zhai.

With a total investment of 50 million yuan (8.16 million U.S. dollars), the market is designed to recycle 200,000 tonnes of resources annually, including metal, plastic and paper, according to Li Zhiqing, manager general of a local recycling company undertaking the construction.

Some 12 km away from downtown Lhasa in Doilungdeqen county, the market covers an area of 15.5 hectares.

Li said the recycling will be done in an enclosed warehouse to avoid secondary pollution. Endi