Gwangju Seo-gu, Significant Cost Savings from Food Waste Reduction Device

Published 06 Jul.2021 13:51(KST)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Seo Dae-seok) has achieved a reduction of about 20 tons of food waste per month and saved 3.2 million KRW in monthly processing costs by implementing the ‘2020 Social Welfare Facility Food Waste Reducer Installation Project’ according to the distribution criteria for reducers.

On the 6th, Seo-gu reported that last year, the food waste reducer installation project was carried out at seven social welfare facilities including Kumho Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, and a 50% installation subsidy was provided to six large-scale waste generators such as Hwangsolchon and business waste emitters after installing reducers.

Previously, food waste was discharged from each source, stored in dedicated containers, and collected by vehicles that transported it to food resource recycling facilities.

After installing the reducers, these facilities and businesses became capable of processing food waste on-site, reducing inconveniences caused by odor generation, collection delays, and transportation. Additionally, the byproduct compost was used to cultivate vegetable gardens, showing high utilization and user satisfaction.

This year, Seo-gu will actively encourage food waste reduction at businesses with large amounts of food waste discharge by providing subsidies under the ‘Waste Management Act’ to large-scale waste generators and business waste emitters within the district who discharge food waste. Support will be given for the installation of one reducer per business or 50% of the cost (up to 10 million KRW).

The supported reducers must meet appropriate standards such as moisture content of byproducts specified in the Waste Management Act, and methods where solids are not recycled but discharged entirely with wastewater are not eligible.

Businesses wishing to apply for reducer installation cost support can submit applications and related documents in person at the Cleaning Administration Division from the 15th to the 28th of this month.

Seo-gu plans to select recipients through a subsidy review next month and notify them individually.

If selected as a subsidy project recipient, businesses must first purchase and install the reducer at their own expense, then submit the required documents. After on-site verification and other procedures, the subsidy will be paid.

For more details, please refer to the announcement on the Seo-gu Office website or contact the Cleaning Administration Division.