"Food Waste Disposal, Shall We Try It Like Korea?" New York's 'K Study'

New York Mandates Food Waste Separation
Massive Greenhouse Gas Emissions... Climate Change Response
"Korea Recycles as Fuel and Fertilizer Without Landfilling"

As a climate change measure, New York City in the United States, which has prepared a bill mandating the separate collection of food waste, has reportedly been paying attention to the 'Korean-style system' for years.

Food waste disposal bin in a residential area of Gangbuk-gu, Seoul

On the 14th (local time), The New York Times (NYT) focused on the Korean system that has been separating food waste since 2005 in an article titled "How Korea Makes Good Use of Food Waste."

The media pointed out, "Globally, about 1.4 billion tons of food waste are discarded, most of which goes to landfills," adding, "(Food waste) decomposes and contaminates water and soil, releasing a huge amount of methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases."

It continued, "However, in Korea, where food waste landfill has been banned for nearly 20 years, this is not the case," and "Most of it is converted into animal feed, fertilizer, and fuel for home heating."

On the 8th, New York City passed the 'Zero Waste' bill mandating the separate collection of food waste. Until now, New York City disposed of food waste together with general waste without separation. However, the goal is to reduce greenhouse gases by recycling separated food waste into fertilizer and other uses.

20% of New York's Greenhouse Gas Comes from Food Waste... Third after Buildings and Transportation

[Image source=Pixabay]

Previously, it was found that 20% of the greenhouse gases emitted by New York City come from food waste buried in landfills. This is the third highest figure after buildings (35%) and transportation (21%).

In response, NYT reporters visited Korea, including Seoul, to inspect major food waste facilities. They examined the process of how food waste is transformed "from the dining table to the facilities."

The media noted that in Korea, the food culture involves serving as many as 12 or more side dishes on the table, which results in a steady generation of food waste. The reporters also introduced how food waste is separately disposed of at a restaurant in Myeongdong and an apartment complex.

NYT stated, "In Korea, food waste landfill has been banned since 2005," and "local authorities have built hundreds of treatment facilities for this purpose." Paul West, a senior scientist at Project Drawdown, an organization researching ways to reduce carbon emissions, said, "The Korean case makes it possible to reduce emissions on a larger scale."

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