Jeonnam Province Distributes 'Safety Handcarts' to Elderly Recycling Collectors

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province announced on the 27th that it will produce safety handcarts to ensure that elderly people collecting recyclables can safely collect and transport recyclables, and will distribute them starting in May.

To this end, the province plans to invest a budget of 300 million won.

This project, which distributes safety equipment such as safety handcarts, safety vests, and safety shoes to elderly recyclables collectors, was promoted for the safety of both elderly people and drivers who are exposed to danger without protection while operating handcarts on steep slopes or roads.

This was done as a preventive measure because the death rate of elderly pedestrian traffic accident victims has not decreased significantly.

In fact, the elderly pedestrian traffic accident death rates were 18% (61 people) in 2018, 21% (61 people) in 2019, and 18% (51 people) in 2020.

The handcarts were equipped with fluorescent paint, safety warning lights, and bicycle brakes, especially considering safety aspects.

The safety vests were made in fluorescent colors so that elderly people who mainly collect recyclables at dawn can be immediately identified. Safety shoes and gloves were designed to protect hands and feet from sharp objects.

Along with distributing safety equipment such as safety handcarts, customized safety education for the elderly will also be provided separately.

The support target is elderly people aged 65 or older who have their resident registration address in Jeonnam and are engaged in collecting recyclables. Eligibility can be confirmed through the environmental departments (Resource Circulation Departments) of each city and county.

Choi Jaehwa, Director of the Water Environment Division of Jeonnam Province, said, “We will regularly conduct surveys to prepare support measures for elderly people collecting recyclables. We hope this safety handcart distribution project will contribute not only to preventing safety accidents among elderly recyclables collectors but also to improving the welfare of vulnerable elderly groups.”

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