Solution Derived for 'Household Waste Disposal Plan' in Seo-gu, Gwangju

Governance 6th Meeting Concludes with Recommendation to Establish 'Jibanggongdan'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] A path has opened for the treatment of municipal solid waste, one of the biggest pending issues in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

On the 10th, Seo-gu announced that the governance formed to find a solution for municipal solid waste treatment recommended the establishment of a 'local public corporation.'

For the past 30 years, the collection and transportation of municipal solid waste in Seo-gu have been handled by a single company, leading to negative public opinion regarding monopoly and the decline in the quality of cleaning administrative services.

In response, Seo-gu formed a transparent and open 'Governance for Optimal Municipal Solid Waste Treatment' in March, consisting of 14 experts from various fields including the council, academia, legal sector, environmental organizations, public enterprises, and workers.

Starting with its first meeting on the 5th of last month and continuing until the 9th, the governance held a total of six sessions focusing on comparing the pros and cons and feasibility of direct management by the district office, local public corporation, and open competition for private consignment, while promoting public discussion.

As a result, in line with the government's policy direction of converting public sector workers to regular positions and comprehensively considering the public nature, stability, expertise, and service quality of cleaning administration, the governance ultimately recommended the establishment of a local public corporation.

They also proposed entrusted tasks for the corporation to undertake, including municipal solid waste collection and transportation, bulky waste treatment, recycling sorting and processing, sales of volume-based waste bags, public parking lots, sports facilities, covered bus stops, and advertisement management.

In particular, the governance emphasized that for its recommendations to be respected and implemented, cooperation and concessions among the district office, Seo-gu council, and municipal solid waste treatment workers are urgently needed.

Going forward, Seo-gu plans to proceed with the necessary administrative procedures such as feasibility studies and explanations to the Seo-gu council, following the governance’s recommendation to establish a local public corporation.

A Seo-gu official stated, “Municipal solid waste treatment is a public area most closely related to residents’ daily lives,” and added, “If performed by a local public corporation, it is expected that professionalism and stable services will enhance the happiness felt by residents.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.