Gwangjin-gu Expands Support for Price Difference in Waste Paper Collection Fees

From June, the recognized support amount per person per day expands from 100kg to 150kg... Since last year's project implementation until the end of May this year, approximately 79 million KRW supported to a total of 123 people

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwangjin-gu (District Mayor Kim Seon-gap) is expanding the ‘Price Difference Support Project for Waste Paper Collectors’ to compensate the income and support the stable independence of elderly waste paper collectors.

The district has been operating the ‘Price Difference Support Project for Waste Paper Collectors’ since August last year, the first of its kind nationwide, by setting an appropriate waste paper price at 70 KRW per kg, higher than the actual market price, and supporting elderly waste paper collectors with the difference in price.

Starting this month, the district has expanded support for elderly waste paper collectors in the area by increasing the daily recognized collection amount used as the basis for calculating support from a maximum of 100 kg per person per day to 150 kg.

The support targets are waste paper collectors residing in Gwangjin-gu who are aged 65 or older or whose income is below 150% of the recognized income standard for the low-income bracket, and who collect waste paper using handcarts or similar means rather than vehicles.

The support procedure involves elderly waste paper collectors obtaining sales receipts from local junk shops and submitting them to the community service center, after which the district pays the support funds to the elderly. Through this support, the district can also regularly check on the well-being of the elderly.

From the project’s launch in August last year until the end of May this year, the district has provided approximately 79 million KRW in price difference support to a total of 123 elderly waste paper collectors.

District Mayor Kim Seon-gap said, “I hope this will provide some help to the elderly waste paper collectors whose lives have become more difficult due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic,” and added, “We will continue to do our best to realize customized welfare for vulnerable elderly people and provide practical assistance.”

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