Bucheon-si Reduces Food Waste Disposal by 24% with RFID-Based Volume Measurement System

Food Waste RFID Weighing Machine
Photo by Bucheon City

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Bucheon City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 15th that the amount of food waste discharged from apartment complexes equipped with RFID-based food waste weighing machines has decreased by approximately 24.5%.

This figure is based on the performance analysis of Sangdong Hanareum 1st Apartment Complex, the third rental area where food waste RFID weighing machines were installed in 2017. According to this, the cost of the RFID weighing machines can be fully recovered this year, the fourth year since installation.

The RFID weighing machine, operated to improve the food waste discharge environment and fundamentally reduce the amount generated, works by recognizing an electronic tag on the device when food waste is discharged. The amount is automatically measured by an electronic scale, and the user pays a fee corresponding to the weight.

A resident living in an apartment complex equipped with the RFID weighing machine said, "It is a very hygienic and convenient food waste discharge facility because you can dispose of food waste immediately without storing it inside the house or putting it in a designated bag." They added, "I hope RFID weighing machines will be installed soon in neighboring apartment complexes and detached housing areas to create a pleasant residential environment."

Bucheon City started installing and operating RFID weighing machines in 2013, beginning with eight complexes in the former Sang 2-dong area as the first pilot region. Currently, 1,058 RFID weighing machines are installed and operated in 101 complexes.

The city plans to analyze the increase or decrease in discharge amounts before and after using RFID weighing machines each year, as well as the financial effects compared to investment costs, to use as reference data when promoting future food waste reduction projects.

A Bucheon City official stated, "We will continue to expand the distribution of RFID weighing machines to reduce food waste and prevent illegal dumping, thereby improving citizens' convenience in waste disposal." They added, "In particular, we will lead efforts to solve economic losses and environmental problems caused by food waste by piloting RFID collection methods targeting traditional markets and commercial areas where large amounts of food waste are generated."

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