Factory in China shreds divorced couples photos for fuel

In northern China, Liu Wei runs a very unique service that recycles discarded wedding photos of divorced couples into electricity, helping those trying to move past divorce. At his warehouse, 120 kilometers from Beijing, Liu and his team transform piles of once cherished photos into biofuel.

Wedding photography is a booming industry in China, but with millions of divorces happening each year, many photos end up unwanted. Liu’s business offers an option for those who wish to dispose of them. Daily, the facility processes five to ten orders, including large prints and smaller items made from materials like plastic and glass.

Privacy is important, which is why each face in the photos is obscured with spray paint before destruction. Liu explains that his clients seek emotional closure, aiming to “unpick the knots in their hearts” by erasing these memories.

Before shredding, the divorced clients have a final chance to back out, recognizing the irreversible nature of this process. Once they confirm, the photos are destroyed, and the remnants are sent to a biofuel plant where they contribute to energy production.

Divorce rates in  China, once rising, have dropped since a 2021 law introduced a mandatory “cooling-off” period before any divorce could be finalized. Meanwhile, marriage rates have started to climb after nearly a decade of decline, offering hope amid concerns over falling birth rates.

Liu maintains a professional detachment, focusing on respecting his clients’ decisions rather than the emotional content of the photos. “You must never persuade people one way or another,” he said.

Through his recycling business, Liu not only supports people in their healing but also contributes to environmental sustainability by converting photos into a renewable resource.