Haenam-gun's Waste Styrofoam Melting Machine Shows Significant Effect in Preventing Marine Pollution

Cost Savings of Over 1.7 Billion Won and Dual Benefits for Marine Environment Protection Through Gam Yong-gi Operation

Haenam County is not only reducing marine waste by utilizing a waste Styrofoam decomposer but also achieving budget savings through recycling. ⓒ Asia Economy

[Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, is effectively reducing marine debris by utilizing a waste Styrofoam melting machine, while also achieving significant budget savings through recycling.

According to the county on the 5th, to handle Styrofoam buoys from aquaculture farms, which are considered a major cause of marine debris, a mobile fishing waste Styrofoam melting machine has been introduced since 2015. It circulates through nine coastal fishing villages within the jurisdiction, processing waste Styrofoam on-site.

Through this, more than 152 tons of waste Styrofoam have been processed so far, resulting in savings of approximately 1.7 billion KRW in outsourced waste Styrofoam disposal costs.

Additionally, the waste Styrofoam melting machine processes 1,000 to 1,200 pieces of waste Styrofoam daily, producing 250 kg of compressed waste Styrofoam, which generated 14 million KRW in non-tax revenue from sales.

Unlike conventional thermal melting products, Haenam-gun’s waste Styrofoam melting machine does not emit toxic gases or unpleasant odors, earning favorable reviews from local residents.

Through compression and molding, it produces high-quality recycled Styrofoam products that are used as primary materials in the first stage of recycling for items such as photo frames and building materials.

Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun kh0424@asiae.co.kr

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