"Stop the Microplastic Problem"... Nationwide River Areas Operate 'Garbage Cleanup Week'

Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Jointly Host... Over 80 Local Governments Participate
Mass Inspection of Abandoned Trash Collection and Vulnerable Areas Such as Recreational Sites

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Ministry of Environment announced that it will operate a "Garbage Cleanup Week" from the 22nd to the 28th targeting major rivers and estuaries nationwide.

The cleanup activities will be conducted in major rivers, estuaries, and coastal areas across the country, including tributaries and streams of the five major rivers: the Han River, Nakdong River, Geum River, Yeongsan River, and Seomjin River. It will also take place around the upstream areas of 34 dams managed by the Ministry of Environment, including 20 multipurpose dams and 14 water supply dams such as Daecheong Dam.

This Cleanup Week has been organized to minimize environmental damage such as water pollution caused by garbage ahead of the full-fledged summer season, when rainfall is frequent.

Plastic, vinyl, and other waste left around rivers can be washed downstream during heavy rains, adversely affecting river and marine ecosystems. Some waste breaks down into microplastics, causing various environmental problems.

In particular, this Garbage Cleanup Week is co-hosted with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, with 80 local governments participating, including affiliated and subordinate organizations of both ministries, to carry out cleanup activities.

Each local government and organizations such as the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation will focus on collecting abandoned waste like plastics that may flow into rivers and eventually reach the sea.

The Korea Water Resources Corporation plans to simultaneously inspect vulnerable waste generation areas such as construction sites, logging sites, and recreational areas near upstream rivers of 34 dams including Daecheong Dam and Chungju Dam to minimize waste inflow into the dams.

Meanwhile, institutions participating in the cleanup activities will comply with preventive measures such as wearing masks and conduct non-face-to-face collection activities using equipment to maintain social distancing in daily life due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

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