[Report] "Is This a Garbage Dump?" Urban Street Trees and Utility Poles Suffering from Various Debris (Comprehensive)

Garbage Disposal Sites in Front of Each Store... Reality Is 'Street Trees and Utility Poles'
Some Citizens Illegally Dump Cigarette Butts on Trash Piles
Citizens Complain, "It's Virtually a Garbage Dump. The Odor Is Severe"

Garbage disposal situation in front of a busy commercial area in Seoul. According to related regulations, the designated garbage disposal location is in front of the store, but most garbage was placed by roadside trees or utility poles. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Is this a garbage dump? It looks so unsightly."

Recently, in some commercial areas of Seoul, designated garbage disposal locations are not being observed, causing inconvenience to citizens. According to disposal rules, stores must place waste in volume-based waste bags and put them in front of their store entrances, but most are leaving them near street trees or utility poles.

As a result, there are complaints about pedestrian inconvenience and damage to the urban landscape. In some cases, cigarette butts and various other litter are being dumped on top of piled-up garbage, causing environmental pollution issues. An official from a district office stated that this situation violates the rules and promised prompt action.

One store did not even put waste or trash into the volume-based waste bags before disposing of them. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

Over the past week, the reporter checked whether restaurants and other businesses in some busy areas of Seoul were properly disposing of garbage. Some were following the rules well, but others were leaving garbage bags near trees or utility poles, which are unsuitable disposal locations.

A restaurant owner said that placing garbage bags next to streetlight poles prevents them from falling over sideways, making it easier for sanitation workers.

A self-employed person in their 40s operating a restaurant, Mr. A, said, "I know the designated garbage disposal location, but the distance from the store entrance to the tree ahead is not far," adding, "The reason for placing the bags by the tree is to prevent them from tipping over. It is to make it easier for the garbage collectors to pick them up."

However, this violates garbage disposal regulations. Disposal locations must be △in front of my store, △within the property boundary of the building, or △beside the building. Disposal is not allowed near the road.

If garbage is placed on the roadside or alleyway instead of in front of the store, as in Mr. A's case, fines ranging from 100,000 KRW (first offense) to 300,000 KRW (third offense) will be imposed.

Garbage disposal situation in front of a busy commercial area in Seoul. According to related regulations, the designated garbage disposal location is in front of the store. Since garbage bags are placed there, some citizens have also thrown cigarette butts and other trash at the site. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

Another problem is that when garbage bags accumulate around utility poles, more people may feel free to throw cigarette butts and other trash without hesitation.

The reporter witnessed garbage bags placed under a tree near a busy area, not at a designated location. The bags were filled with tissues, disposable chopsticks, paper cups, and various other litter. The foul odor and presence of insects made it resemble a garbage dump. All of this was due to passersby dumping their trash there.

Citizens who saw this expressed discomfort. Mr. B, a worker in his 30s, said, "Since many garbage bags are gathered, it seems like anyone thinks they can throw trash freely," adding, "It doesn't look good and the smell is strong." He continued, "Isn't this basically a garbage dump? I hope it gets cleaned up soon."

Another worker in his 40s, Mr. C, said, "The smell is terrible. Summer is coming, and the weather will be humid and hot, so I am more worried," adding, "I feel ashamed for the sanitation workers and children." He expressed frustration, saying, "I don't understand why throwing trash in a bin is such a difficult thing."

A 'Garbage Disposal Notice' hung on a street tree. It contains the principle that all garbage should be placed in front of the door. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

The situation in front of other stores was similar. A large garbage bag was discarded next to a utility pole in front of a store. Insects were swarming above it, and disposable cups, cigarette butts, and drink cans discarded by pedestrians were piled on top of the garbage heap. Illegal dumping carries a fine of 50,000 KRW.

Because there is a lot of garbage disposal in front of street trees, a "Garbage Disposal Notice" sign was posted on one tree. A man in his 50s who saw this said, "I saw so many garbage bags placed by trees that I didn't realize it was a problem," adding, "I hope the rules are followed properly from now on so the streets can be clean."

As urban waste disposal violations cause inconvenience to citizens, a district office cleaning administration official promised swift action.

An official from the district office explained, "According to regulations, disposal in front of the store is correct," adding, "Some stores may not be able to dispose of garbage that way." He emphasized, "We will improve situations where garbage is disposed of near street trees or utility poles."

He also stated, "If citizens inform us of inconvenient locations, we will improve them through guidance and promptly collect problematic garbage bags."

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