Incheon Resource Circulation Stores Collect 425 Tons of Recyclables... 71% Increase in Subscribers

153 Million KRW Cash Reward
Resource Circulation Stores Increase from 56 to 78

Incheon’s resource circulation stores are playing a crucial role in collecting recyclables. On the 7th, Incheon City announced that 78 resource circulation stores in the region collected 425 tons of 19 types of recyclables, including transparent PET bottles, during the first half of this year. By item, the amounts were 245 tons of plastics, 80 tons of bottles, 63 tons of paper, 20 tons of metals, and 16 tons of textiles.

The cash (points) rewarded to citizens for collecting recyclables amounted to 153 million KRW. Compared to last year, when 56 resource circulation stores collected 302 tons of recyclables and rewarded 72 million KRW in cash, the performance has increased more than threefold.

Incheon Resource Circulation Stores were established to promote proper separation and disposal of recyclables and to foster a sustainable resource circulation culture. Starting as a pilot project in 2021 with 17 stores, the number increased to 56 stores across 8 districts last year, and to 78 stores across 9 districts this year (19 in Michuhol-gu, 10 in Seo-gu, 9 in Dong-gu, 8 in Gyeyang-gu, 7 each in Namdong-gu and Ongjin-gun, and 6 each in Jung-gu, Yeonsu-gu, and Bupyeong-gu). The number of subscribers also rose from 1,244 in the first year to 12,412 last year, and further surged by 71% to 21,215 this year compared to the previous year.

Michuhol-gu operates resource circulation stores twice a week at 19 administrative welfare centers to collect recyclables, receiving positive evaluations for raising residents’ awareness of resource circulation and keeping neighborhoods clean. Additionally, in collaboration with Incheon City, they are running a campaign to collect discarded umbrellas and transform them into upcycled products such as children’s raincoats, hair ties, and coin purses, which has garnered enthusiastic support.

Resource Circulation Store operated in Michuhol-gu
[Photo provided by Incheon City]

In Gyeyang-gu, resource circulation stores operate five days a week at the district office, Imhak Park, and Hyoseong Park, with mobile resource circulation stores running at different locations on different days. Unmanned collection machines for transparent PET bottles have been installed at resource circulation stores in Michuhol-gu (15 units), Bupyeong-gu (9 units), Gyeyang-gu (5 units), and Seo-gu (19 units) to enable contactless disposal.

Incheon City plans to continue operating resource circulation stores and expand the installation of unmanned collection machines next year. Furthermore, through resource circulation education, installation of recycling separation stations, and various exchange programs, the city will intensify efforts to reduce waste and promote sustainable resource circulation. Until now, the city has fully funded the operation of resource circulation stores, including personnel costs for resource managers and rewards for recyclables, but starting next year, it plans to share these costs with the districts.

Kim Cheolsu, Director of the Environment Bureau of Incheon City, stated, "Reducing waste and recycling resources in daily life is not a choice but a necessity for both the present and future generations. We ask for the active interest and participation of citizens to recover and circulate as many recyclable resources as possible."

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