UMBRELLA sharing is a new aspect of the shared economy that has been developing in recent years. It provides shared services in places such as Metro stations, commercial districts, bus stops and schools. However, many shared umbrella containers have been turned into dustbins, the Shenzhen Evening News reported Tuesday.

During a field visit to Metro stations like Shopping Park and Chegongmiao, the reporter from the newspaper found that although many bus stops are equipped with shared umbrella containers or umbrella stands, some of these facilities are being used as dustbins.

At a bus stop near the entrance of Chegongmiao Metro Station, the reporter saw that a shared umbrella container called “Ruoyu Xiaosan” was filled with various kinds of household garbage. Upon a closer inspection, the container, which is about 60 to 70 centimeters tall, was filled with tissues, beverage bottles, wrappers and the like.

At two other bus stops, the shared umbrella containers of the same brand were also full of household waste. When the reporter tried to scan the QR codes to borrow umbrellas at the three locations, he found that, even though the QR codes could still be used, the umbrellas had all been taken.

The reporter tried to contact the company that provides the shared umbrella service, but failed to get through.

(Zhang Yu, Fu Xinyue)