Food Waste Reduced by 35%... Dongdaemun-gu Supports Installation of 'RFID Volume-based Waste Bins'

A Total Budget of 60 Million Won Invested This Year to Support 30s... Project Since 2015, Currently Used by 72% of Apartments in Dongdaemun-gu

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) is investing a total project budget of 60 million KRW to install and support 30 RFID volume-based waste bins targeting both single-family and multi-family residences to reduce food waste generation.

RFID technology uses radio waves to read and transmit information embedded in cards and is mainly used in public transportation. The RFID volume-based waste bins equipped with this technology operate by having each household use a T-money prepaid transportation card or a household-specific card every time they dispose of food waste, paying an amount corresponding to the weight of the food waste discarded.

Through this process, each household becomes aware of their disposal amount and voluntarily works to reduce food waste by removing moisture from the food waste, among other efforts.

Since 2015, the district has continuously promoted the RFID volume-based waste bin installation support project. As of 2022, out of 78 apartment complexes subject to mandatory management in Dongdaemun-gu, 54 complexes have switched from a complex-based volume-based payment system using payment certificates to a household-based volume-based system using RFID. As a result, the reduction rate of food waste before and after the installation of RFID volume-based bins is 35%, achieving success in suppressing food waste generation.

Additionally, RFID volume-based bins do not expose food waste containers to the outside, improving the surrounding aesthetics and making odor management more convenient.

The application period for installing RFID volume-based bins in 2022 is from March 3 to May 31. For single-family homes with 15 or more households, prepaid RFID volume-based bins that can use T-money prepaid transportation cards are supported along with maintenance and communication fees. For multi-family residences with 300 or more households, installation of RFID volume-based bins using household-specific cards is supported.

Residents wishing to apply can check related information on the RFID volume-based bin menu on the Dongdaemun-gu Office website and then contact the Resource Circulation Team of the Cleaning Administration Division at Dongdaemun-gu Office.

Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol of Dongdaemun-gu stated, “Reducing food waste significantly lowers our district’s waste disposal costs and plays a major role in protecting the environment. We ask for the active interest of residents in the RFID volume-based waste bin installation support project to reduce food waste.”

RFID Metered Dispenser

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