A new force for environmental conservation has emerged in the quaint fishing village of Daifeng in Pingtan, a rising international tourism island off the coast of E China's Fujian province. This innovative approach to sustainability is being spearheaded by the "Landing" café, a cozy establishment nestled within a renovated traditional stone house.

From Stone Hut to Stylish Café

Wang Xiaoshuang pictured crafting coffee

Once a humble ancestral home, the two-story grey and white building has transformed into a trendy café, under the stewardship of Wang Xiaoshuang, hailing from Jilin in Northeast China, and Zhang Yanjun, a native of Fujian's Fuzhou. Having spent years honing their coffee craft in Shanghai, the duo decided to settle in Pingtan last spring, turning their dream of opening a café into a reality.

"We wanted to create a haven where people could unwind and connect," said Wang Xiaoshuang, the café's co-founder. "We envision this place as more than just a tourist destination; we want visitors to linger, sip coffee, enjoy the sea breeze, and experience the tranquility of island life."

A Space for Relaxation and Inspiration

Walking into "Landing," guests are greeted by the soft melody of background music and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The café's interior boasts a cozy atmosphere, with comfortable sofas inviting visitors to take a seat and unwind. Magazines featuring the charm of Pingtan adorn the tables, while a projector screens classic films, adding to the overall ambiance.

"The sea here is so clear and beautiful, it's unforgettable," remarked Zhang Yanjun, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. The duo spent three months renovating the old stone hut, transforming it into a chic café where they also perform multiple roles, including baristas, cleaners, photographers, and even pastry chefs.

A Brew for Change: Trash for Coffee

Wang Xiaoshuang (Left) and Zhang Yanjun (Right) proudly display a large woven bag used to collect discarded plastic bottles

But "Landing" isn't just about delicious coffee and serene surroundings; it's also about giving back to the environment. The café has introduced a novel program called "Trash for Coffee," which encourages visitors to collect litter from the beaches and exchange it for coffee coupons.

"We were saddened to see the amount of plastic and other waste littering the seashore," said Wang Xiaoshuang. "These non-biodegradable items pose a grave threat to marine life, and we felt compelled to do something about it."

The idea stemmed from an incident during a mobile coffee cart event near Pingtan's Northern Ecological Corridor, where they found their stall surrounded by discarded plastic bags, food containers, and bamboo skewers. That encounter inspired them to launch the "Trash for Coffee" initiative, which quickly gained traction on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (known as "Little Red Book" in China), attracting thousands of views and supportive comments within days.

"We've seen people pledge to bring trash bags to the beach and express their eagerness to participate in person," said Zhang Yanjun, grinning from ear to ear. The café now stocks extra-large recycling bags and DIY eco-friendly tote bags to facilitate the program, promoting resource recycling and a low-carbon lifestyle.