Residents play with fallen leaves. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

Hangzhou's Gongsu district transformed unswept autumn leaves into public art and recycling installations on Dec 12.

Seven leaf-themed art installations and two recycling-science exhibits now span a 10,000-square-meter gingko grove on Shangtang Road.

Featured works include Autumn Leaf Girl, Maple Monologue, and the centerpiece Fallen-Leaf Living Room, created from leaves, discarded furniture, and recycled plastic panels.

Residents take photos with leaf-inspired installations. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

Other pieces repurpose low-value recyclables — such as hamburger boxes turned into pencil cases and snack bags into figurines — while a 4-meter transparent heart made from polymer materials evokes the romance of the season.

The installations build on Hangzhou's "leave the leaves" policy, now in its ninth year, which preserves natural leaf fall on 31 designated roads. This year, the city linked the policy with waste-reduction education, encouraging citizens to appreciate both seasonal beauty and the value of recycling.

An artist creates a painting inspired by fallen leaves. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]