Hong Taeyong, Mayor of Gimhae, "Will Reduce Plastic Waste by 14,700 Tons Annually"

Comprehensive Measures for Plastic Reduction in Daily Life Implementation

Hong Tae-yong, mayor of Gimhae City, Gyeongnam, announced the 'Comprehensive Plan for Promoting Plastic-Free Living'.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] “We aim to reduce 14,700 tons of plastic waste annually, cutting 40,630 tons of carbon emissions.”

On the 29th, Hong Taeyong, Mayor of Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province, expressed his determination to implement the ‘Comprehensive Plan for Promoting Plastic-Free Living.’

Mayor Hong stated, “The climate crisis and plastic-free living are very important practical tasks for local governments,” adding, “We will implement measures to reduce the massive amounts of plastic waste generated in everyday life.”

He presented the plastic-free measures as follows: ▲Nation’s first separate collection, pickup, and pyrolysis treatment of waste vinyl ▲Signing social agreements with private organizations for the use of reusable containers ▲Phasing out disposable plastic containers in private funeral homes starting the second half of next year ▲Expanding installation of transparent PET bottle collection machines ▲Completing systems for collecting and supplying reusable tableware and shared cups ▲Expanding the project to eradicate plastic artificial flowers in park cemeteries.

The city estimated that about 20% of combustible household waste generated per household?approximately 10 tons daily?consists of waste vinyl such as wrap, tape, medicine packets, gloves, various tube containers, and plastic stationery.

After preparation, starting in May next year, the city plans to collect waste vinyl once a week from one apartment complex per cleaning service zone, city hall, eup/myeon/dong offices, and invested or affiliated institutions using specially produced waste vinyl separation bags.

The collected waste vinyl will be stored at the Jinyeong landfill and then recycled through pyrolysis by installing a waste vinyl treatment facility.

The city will also sign agreements to use reusable containers with various alumni associations, hometown associations, and labor groups that frequently use disposable plastics at events such as sports competitions and outings.

Separate agreements will be made with five local movie theaters to use reusable cups, aiming to reduce the use of disposable plastic cups in theaters to zero.

Since April, the city has conducted a pilot project using reusable containers at three funeral homes in the city for seven months, resulting in a reduction of 22 tons of plastic waste?72% of the total?from 630 funerals.

Accordingly, from the second half of next year, the use of reusable containers will be expanded to all 14 private funeral homes, and the introduction of disposable funeral items provided by various funeral service companies and organizations will be prohibited.

From this year until 2026, six transparent PET bottle collection machines will be installed annually, totaling 30 units, at administrative welfare centers, parks, and other multi-use locations easily accessible to citizens.

The reusable container washing facility in Pungyu-dong will be relocated to Andong, newly constructed on a 130-pyeong scale, and the washing line for reusable containers as well as the collection and supply system for reusable tableware and shared cups will be fully established.

The newly constructed reusable container washing facility is scheduled to begin construction in December this year and be completed around August next year.

The nation’s first project to eradicate plastic artificial flowers in park cemeteries will continue to be promoted, aiming for full establishment next year and nationwide expansion through legislation.

Mayor Hong said, “To urgently solve various environmental problems caused by excessive plastic use, we must quickly transition from a disposable culture to an eco-friendly society using reusable containers,” adding, “We will actively promote the comprehensive plan for plastic-free living to create a green environmental city.”

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