Bucheon-si Launches Citizen Campaign for Leaf Collection... Creating Streets to Enjoy Stepping on Leaves

Commuters are walking on the fallen leaves along the Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway in Jung-gu, Seoul. 2020.11.18 / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Bucheon City in Gyeonggi Province is conducting a 'Leaf Collection Campaign' involving citizens to ensure stable disposal of increasing waste and prompt collection of autumn leaves, and is also creating a 'Leaf Stepping Street.'

The city has faced difficulties in handling autumn leaves due to aging incineration facilities and the requirement to pay an additional 100% surcharge on excess waste brought in under the total waste import quota system. Additionally, the concentrated generation of leaves in late autumn causes inconvenience to citizens' daily lives and traffic.

Accordingly, this year the city is promoting a city-wide campaign encouraging citizen participation to collect autumn leaves more quickly and cleanly. Previously, the city recycled about 800 tons of autumn leaves as farm compost, achieving an annual budget saving of 100 million won.

Furthermore, to allow citizens to momentarily escape daily life and enjoy the autumn atmosphere and the romance of stepping on leaves, the city will create a 'Leaf Stepping Street.' Ten quiet and tranquil locations have been designated, and the street will operate for one week starting from the 23rd.

During this period, leaves will not be collected so that citizens can fully immerse themselves in the autumn ambiance, and special care will be taken in leaf management.

A Bucheon city official stated, "Through this leaf collection citizen campaign and the operation of the Leaf Stepping Street, street environment cleaners will have reduced collection burdens, and citizens will have time to feel the romance of autumn in the urban area."

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