Gangdong-gu Launches Full-Scale Household Waste Reduction Initiative

Aiming to Reduce This Year's Waste Intake by 10.6% Compared to the Past Seven-Year Average

On July 4, Gangdong-gu in Seoul announced that it will actively promote a household waste reduction initiative this year to proactively respond to the implementation of the public waste facility intake management system in 2025 and the ban on direct landfilling of municipal solid waste in the Seoul metropolitan area scheduled for next year.

The total intake quota for municipal solid waste at public treatment facilities allocated to Gangdong-gu this year is 31,739 tons. The district aims to reduce this amount by 3,782 tons, or 10.6%, compared to the average annual intake from 2018 to 2024.

Design of dedicated waste vinyl bags (front, back). Provided by Gangdong-gu.

With the recent increase in population due to large-scale reconstruction and redevelopment projects, as well as the establishment of new business complexes, the amount of municipal solid waste generated is also expected to rise. In response, the district plans to focus on expanding resident participation in recycling initiatives to maximize waste reduction effects.

In particular, Gangdong-gu is prioritizing a project for the separate collection of waste vinyl. When residents purchase a bundle of ten 50-liter or 75-liter standard waste bags at designated retail outlets, they will receive five 30-liter dedicated waste vinyl bags free of charge. The dedicated bags contain clear guidance on which types of waste vinyl can be separated and collected, which is expected to help improve residents' awareness and practices regarding proper waste separation.

Previously, Gangdong-gu ranked first among Seoul districts last year in terms of the increase in waste vinyl recycling, recycling a total of 3,862 tons of waste vinyl and significantly reducing the amount sent for incineration or landfilling.

The district is also pursuing a range of resource circulation policies to reduce household waste. At the Gangdong Re&Upcycle Plaza, upcycling education programs are offered to residents. Applications for the second-half programs (September to November) can be made next month through the Seoul Public Service Reservation System.

In addition, the district is supporting the installation of RFID food waste meters, operating unmanned collection machines for transparent PET bottles and cans, collecting recyclable materials such as paper packs, used batteries, and transparent PET bottles, and promoting a coffee grounds recycling project.

Meanwhile, Gangdong-gu operates a task force for the continuous monitoring and enforcement of illegal dumping. The inspections focus on whether standard waste bags are used, whether food waste is mixed in with standard waste bags, and whether recyclables are properly separated.

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