Transparent PET bottles 'sok' cash 'jjan'... Gimhae City operates 4 automatic collection machines

Earn App Points Per Item, Refund Over 2000 Points

Automatic transparent PET bottle collection machine installed in Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province, will operate automatic collection machines for transparent PET bottles starting November 1.

In accordance with the full implementation of the separate disposal system for transparent PET bottles, the city has installed one automatic collection machine each at Bulamdong Administrative Welfare Center, Hwalcheon-dong Administrative Welfare Center, Hoehyeon-dong Administrative Welfare Center, and Naeoe-dong Turtle Park.

To use the automatic collection machine, users must download the ‘Power Crush’ app on their mobile devices and sign up as members.

When a transparent PET bottle, emptied and with its label removed, is inserted into the machine, 10 app points are accumulated per bottle, and once 2,000 points or more are collected, they can be redeemed for cash.

Even without signing up as a member, points can be accumulated by entering and verifying a phone number, but to redeem points for cash, app download and membership registration are required.

The Android version of the app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store, and the iOS version is expected to be available for download in November.

According to the city, the machine immediately crushes the PET bottles into plastic flakes, reducing their volume to one-fifteenth.

Because it disassembles at a low speed, it produces a low noise level of about 65 dB, and each machine can collect approximately 1,000 PET bottles.

The collected plastic flakes are processed into high-quality recycled raw materials capable of extracting long fibers, transforming into valuable recycled products such as clothing, shoes, and bags.

During November, on weekdays except from noon to 2 p.m., from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., guides will be stationed near the machines to assist users.

Each guide will provide instructions on how to download and use the app, as well as how to insert transparent PET bottles into the machine.

Mayor Hong Taeyong said, “With the installation of automatic collection machines for transparent PET bottles, we hope to raise awareness about the environment and promote recycling, achieving two goals at once. We ask for active participation in carbon neutrality and plastic reduction campaigns.”

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