Governor Jeon Jinseon: "Realizing a City Without Single-Use Products... Building a Resource Circulation Model"

Yangpyeong County Aims for a "City Without Single-Use Products"
Emerges as a Model Environmental City Through Resource Circulation Practices
Introduction of Reusable Containers at Festivals and Hands-On Education Programs
Tangible Results Achieved Through Everyday, Community-Based Policies

Yangpyeong County in Gyeonggi Province is establishing itself as a leading eco-friendly city through a variety of resource circulation policies aimed at realizing a 'city without single-use products.' Policies that encourage daily practice, created together by residents, merchants, and tourists, have led to visible results such as the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and waste. These efforts are also contributing to the revitalization of the local economy, serving as a driving force for achieving a 'Happy Yangpyeong.'

Yangpyeong Ongdalsaem (Water Fountain) Opened. Provided by Yangpyeong County

According to Yangpyeong County on August 4, the county was selected last year for the 'Gyeonggi Specialized District Project for a City Without Single-Use Products' and established a specialized street in Yongdam-ri, Yangseo-myeon, where single-use products are not used.

In this area, the county provided merchants with reusable cups and containers, as well as eco-friendly aprons, and installed collection bins and eco-friendly trash cans. By conducting environmental education and campaigns simultaneously, the county encouraged voluntary participation from residents. As a result, 86,000 reusable containers were supplied to 22 restaurants and cafes in Yongdam-ri, reducing annual carbon dioxide emissions by 4.1 tons.

In particular, the county installed a drinking fountain called 'Ongdalsaem,' where residents and tourists can bring their own cups and freely drink water, creating a space where the circular economy can be experienced firsthand. Yangpyeong County plans to expand this model to nearby traditional markets and tourist attractions.

Resource circulation practices are also prominent at festival sites. Last year, 170,000 reusable containers were introduced at four festivals, including the Yongmunsan Wild Vegetable Festival. At this year's Wild Vegetable Festival, 200,000 containers were used, reducing waste generation by more than 90%. This resulted in a reduction of approximately 10 tons of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to the amount absorbed by 80 pine trees over 60 years. Next year, the county plans to expand the supply to a total of 680,000 reusable containers across 12 festivals.

Yangpyeong County's policy to promote the use of reusable products has also extended to environmentally conscious funeral practices, leading to the introduction of stainless steel reusable containers at the Yangpyeong Funeral Hall. This is expected not only to protect the environment but also to reduce long-term operating and waste disposal costs.

Opening Ceremony of Yangpyeong Resource Circulation Center Exhibition Hall. Provided by Yangpyeong County

Yangpyeong County has also declared a zero single-use product policy for public institutions, completely banning the use of single-use cups in the county office and making the use of reusable cups mandatory. By initiating change from public institutions, the county is taking the lead in reducing the use of single-use products, fulfilling its social responsibility with a proactive attitude and contributing to the creation of a sustainable society.

In particular, at the Damsso Cafe inside the county office, a system has been introduced that links the use of reusable cups to the Ministry of Environment's 'Carbon Neutrality Point Green Life Practice' program, allowing users to accumulate 300 won in carbon neutrality points. These points can be used like cash up to 70,000 won per year, providing greater motivation for eco-friendly practices.

In addition, Yangpyeong County is promoting a project to distribute reusable aprons, which embody both environmental protection and corporate promotion. About 30 restaurants in the county will be selected, and each will be supplied with around 100 reusable aprons. This project is being carried out through collaboration between the county, institutions, and companies, with the logos of participating organizations and companies printed on the aprons to provide promotional opportunities. Through this, the county aims to reduce the use of single-use products and establish a cooperative system for mutual growth with the local community.

Furthermore, the county is focusing on the establishment of its own reusable product washing facility, which is a core infrastructure for the resource circulation economy model, to further realize a city without single-use products. The reusable product washing facility, scheduled for completion at the end of this year, will be able to wash 20,000 reusable containers and aprons daily, greatly contributing to environmental protection and the spread of a sustainable consumption culture.

Voting-type cigarette butt collection box. Provided by Yangpyeong County

Based on these efforts, Yangpyeong County has been highly praised for reducing waste generation by more than 90% and was selected as an excellent institution in the "Single-Use Products and Packaging Reduction and Recycling Promotion" category, receiving a commendation from the Minister of Environment. This achievement has brought external recognition to the excellence of Yangpyeong's environmental policies.

At the heart of Yangpyeong's environmental policy is 'hands-on resource circulation education.' The county believes that the starting point of resource circulation is 'awareness improvement education.' The 'hands-on resource circulation education,' which allows residents to directly observe how the waste they dispose of is collected, sorted, and processed, goes beyond theoretical understanding and enables residents to experience resource circulation firsthand through direct participation.

Since 2024, the county has been conducting resource circulation education to raise environmental awareness among residents and to establish a proper culture of waste separation and disposal. Moving away from one-off promotional efforts, the county now provides field-oriented, practical environmental education tailored to different life stages, allowing people of all ages to participate.

Through this education, residents visit the resource circulation center, explore the waste treatment process with professional instructors, and participate in both theoretical classes and hands-on activities such as upcycling. This has heightened awareness of waste generation, the importance of resource circulation, and environmental consciousness. Last year, a total of 63 educational sessions were held, reaching 1,457 residents and achieving a satisfaction rate of over 90%, demonstrating a tangible shift in perceptions regarding resource circulation.

County Governor Jeon Jinseon is delivering a greeting at the "Field-Experience Resource Circulation Education" event. Provided by Yangpyeong County

Yangpyeong County has expanded its educational curriculum this year under the slogan 'Good Disposal, Good Circulation,' so that resource circulation awareness can naturally permeate daily life and lead to action. The county is conducting outreach education on waste separation at village halls and senior centers, practical education on reducing single-use products for lower-grade elementary students, and resource circulation education for infants and young children.

The county plans to take a step further by ensuring that all residents are aware of waste generation and that resource circulation awareness is integrated into daily life, aiming to be designated as an excellent environmental education program by the Ministry of Environment and improving the quality of education.

Additionally, by expanding the target audience to include non-residents, the county aims to link visits to local restaurants and tourist attractions with environmental education, expecting a dual benefit of environmental education and local economic revitalization.

As part of its eighth popularly elected administration's pledges, Yangpyeong County has prioritized resolving daily inconveniences for residents through comprehensive administrative services and has launched the 'Clean Yangpyeong Campaign' to create a clean and tidy county. These efforts, including fostering a culture of voluntary cleaning among residents, led to the county receiving the '2024 Best Award for Creating a Clean Gyeonggi Province,' and the county continues to take the lead in environmental cleanup.

To create clean street environments, the county has piloted the installation of 'voting-type cigarette butt collection bins' at two locations within the Yangpyeong Mulmaeun Market to reduce indiscriminate cigarette littering and encourage voluntary participation by residents. This initiative is expected to increase user engagement and contribute to the creation of cleaner street environments.

Opening Ceremony of Yangpyeong Resource Circulation Center Exhibition Hall. Courtesy of Yangpyeong County

Additionally, to address the issue of abandoned waste and illegally stored construction materials by unidentified individuals, which cause environmental pollution and detract from the city's appearance, Yangpyeong County conducted a comprehensive survey of abandoned waste and illegal storage of construction materials throughout the county. At the 35 identified sites, the county implemented waste disposal services and issued cleanliness maintenance orders, thereby resolving illegal waste issues at once. This is the first time such a comprehensive cleanup has been carried out in Yangpyeong County, and it is significant in that the county proactively sought to improve the urban environment by investigating areas vulnerable to illegal dumping.

Jeon Jinseon, Governor of Yangpyeong County, stated, "Yangpyeong County has consistently pursued environmental policies that residents can practice in their daily lives in order to create a sustainable city where people and nature coexist in harmony," and added, "We will further expand environmental practices centered on resource circulation and develop 'Happy Yangpyeong' into a model environmental city representing Korea."

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