Giving the Games a green and clean sheen

In fact, many of the event's licensed products have been manufactured using environmentally friendly methods, such as backpacks that are each made from 10 recycled drink bottles and frisbees fashioned from rice husks.

Hua Fang, who works for the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee's market development department, said: "Licensed merchandise serves as a distinctive keepsake of the event and also promotes the use of new concepts and technologies in product design and development."

Zhejiang's authorities launched a digital management platform on July 11 to serve the mission of hosting the first carbon-neutral Asian Games. It oversees the management of carbon emissions in six cities, and employs such functions as data collection, accounting, emissions reduction and evaluation.

A statement from the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee's environmental protection department said: "The carbon footprint of a large sporting event covers many aspects, including construction of the competition venues, transportation, accommodation, competition preparations and spectators.

"It is very difficult for humans to calculate and evaluate all this. With the platform, all we need to do is input and check raw data. Carbon emissions are automatically calculated by the system."

Meanwhile, a "low-carbon account" program has been designed for Asian Games Village residents, including athletes, technical officials, media personnel and volunteers.