Yeongdeungpo-gu Installs 70 Dedicated Cigarette Butt Collection Bins in Areas with Frequent Complaints

Narrow, Round Inlet to Prevent Illegal Dumping... Slim Design Enhances Space Efficiency... 21 Portable Recycling Stations Replaced... Increasing Recycling Rates of Transparent PET Bottles and Waste Vinyl

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Chae Hyun-il) is providing residents with a pleasant environment through solid cleaning administration by installing 70 dedicated cigarette butt collection bins and creating 21 recycling stations that increase recycling rates.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two-thirds of the world's cigarette sales are discarded on the streets, which not only block storm drains but also flow into rivers and seas, becoming a major cause of marine litter.

In fact, the Ocean Conservancy, an international marine environmental organization, revealed that one-third of marine debris collected from beaches worldwide over the past 30 years consists of cigarette butts.

In response, the district focused on basic administration to improve residents' quality of life by producing dedicated cigarette butt trash bins and completing installation at 70 locations with high complaint rates.

The cigarette butt bins have small, round openings designed to prevent insertion of foreign objects other than cigarette butts, and they feature roofs to protect against snow and rain.

Additionally, made of stainless steel, they are resistant to rust and fire, and their slim design, approximately 20cm in width and height, allows for efficient use of space.

Moreover, the district has fully replaced 21 mobile recycling stations installed within the area.

This measure follows the waste vinyl and transparent PET bottle separate disposal system implemented citywide in Seoul starting July, and the district has strengthened promotional efforts since January to prevent resident confusion.

The new mobile recycling stations are divided into five compartments: △ transparent PET bottles △ colored PET bottles and plastics △ vinyl △ cans and glass bottles △ paper.

In particular, transparent PET bottles contain fewer impurities than colored PET bottles, making them more valuable for recycling; thus, the installation of dedicated recycling stations is expected to achieve both economic benefits and environmental protection.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “To improve residents' quality of life, we must be thorough in basic administration,” adding, “We will create a pleasant and open Yeongdeungpo through meticulous cleaning administration.”

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