Illegal and Disaster Waste to Be Quickly Managed by the State Through Public Waste Resource Management Facilities

'Basic Plan for Installation and Operation of Public Waste Resource Management Facilities' Established

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The government has decided to install and operate public waste resource management facilities by region nationwide to enable stable processing of public disposal waste such as abandoned and disaster waste.

The Ministry of Environment announced that it established the "Basic Plan for Installation and Operation of Public Waste Resource Management Facilities," which was discussed at the 11th Social Relations Ministers' Meeting held at the Government Complex Sejong on the afternoon of the 23rd.

Considering the urgency of installing and operating public waste resource management facilities, the Ministry of Environment will first install them in one to two regions and promote installation and operation by region nationwide to ensure stable processing of public disposal waste.

In the second half of this year, candidate sites will be solicited nationwide by region, and after conducting feasibility studies on the candidate sites that applied, the site selection committee will select the installation order among regions and the optimal site for each region.

Public waste resource management facilities are complex facilities composed of incineration facilities, landfill facilities, and recycling facilities that can environmentally process public disposal waste. The facilities will apply the Best Available Techniques (BAT), a management method that is excellent in environmental and economic aspects and can most effectively reduce pollutant emissions. They will be installed in an eco-friendly manner through energy-efficient architecture and equipment, as well as renewable energy facilities such as solar and wind power. Additionally, by underground construction and other methods, facility and site utilization will be maximized, and aesthetically superior exteriors will be applied to enhance the facility's dignity and develop it as a regional landmark.

When operating public waste resource management facilities, environmental standards stricter than current regulations such as the Air Environment Conservation Act and the Waste Management Act will be applied. The facilities will be developed as carbon-neutral by maximizing waste resource utilization through the use of incineration heat and linkage with organic waste biogas facilities. Furthermore, intelligent automation (such as smart monitoring) using big data, artificial intelligence, and information and communication technology will optimally manage incineration combustion and landfill leachate. Operational information such as waste intake and processing status and air and water pollutant emissions will be disclosed to residents in real time, and resident monitoring personnel will be appointed to ensure transparent operation.

Ten percent of the installation cost of public waste resource management facilities will be allocated to a special resident fund to support residents living within 2 km of the facility (fund beneficiary area) and used for facility installation. Investment funds will be raised from residents in the investment participation area within 10% of the installation cost, and other necessary funds for installation will be procured from the national treasury.

Up to 60% of the operating profits will be distributed to support residents living in the fund beneficiary area, resident investors, and local support projects in the public waste resource management facility installation area. Ten percent of the operating profits will be distributed in cash or in-kind to fund beneficiary area residents and resident investors respectively. Additionally, up to 40% of the operating profits will be allocated to local governments and installation and operation agencies to support the installation of resident convenience facilities and resident welfare projects.

Hong Dong-gon, Director of the Resource Circulation Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, said, "Through the installation and operation of public waste resource management facilities by region, we will improve the shortage of waste treatment facilities, promptly process illegal and disaster waste, and environmentally process hazardous waste that is difficult for the private sector to handle in a way that meets public expectations. We will share operating profits with residents in the installation areas and guarantee resident participation by transparently disclosing related information from site selection to installation and operation."

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