Incheon City Expands Incentives for Waste Incineration Facility Locations... Development of Shopping Malls and Cultural Facilities

Songdo Resource Circulation Center Exterior [Photo provided by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City has decided to create resident convenience facilities such as shopping malls and cultural facilities in the area where the waste treatment incineration facility (Resource Circulation Center) will be established.

The city announced on the 20th that it plans to expand incentives provided to new site areas for the construction of the Resource Circulation Center, which is being promoted in preparation for the ban on direct landfill of household waste in 2026.

When constructing a new Resource Circulation Center, the city plans to build the facility underground and with advanced technology, and to create sports, leisure, cultural facilities, or large shopping malls desired by residents on the aboveground area.

Additionally, there is a plan to use the incineration facility’s chimney to create an innovative exterior design, making the Resource Circulation Center a local landmark.

Currently, the 'Waste Facility Promotion Act' stipulates that for the site area of the Resource Circulation Center, resident convenience facilities equivalent to 20% of construction costs must be installed, and a 10% surcharge on waste disposal fees from outside the site area can be supported as waste reduction project funds for the site area.

However, the city believes that legal support alone may pose difficulties in newly installing the Resource Circulation Center, and has prepared plans to expand incentives after conducting citizen perception surveys.

The city is promoting the installation of three new Resource Circulation Centers and the modernization of the aging Songdo Resource Circulation Center, as the current two operating centers (Songdo and Cheongna) have insufficient incineration capacity (864 tons/day).

An official from Incheon City stated, "We plan to propose to the Ministry of Environment measures such as increasing the surcharge on waste disposal fees that can be supported in the area where the center is located," and added, "We will also consider using Incheon City’s general accounts to expand incentives."

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