Gwangju City Promotes Proper Food Waste Disposal Culture

Public Awareness Campaign and Special Crackdowns with District Offices Until October 2

Gwangju City will simultaneously promote public awareness and conduct special crackdowns until October 2 to establish a proper culture of food waste disposal. Photo by Gwangju City

On September 15, Gwangju City announced that it will simultaneously promote public awareness and conduct special crackdowns until October 2 to establish a proper culture of food waste disposal. This initiative aims to encourage the proper separation and disposal of food waste generated at homes and businesses, and to accelerate the creation of a resource-circulating city.

Food waste generated at homes or businesses, when disposed of using designated collection containers, is sent to public food waste recycling facilities where it is processed into animal feed and biogas. However, there have been recent cases where some residents have not used the designated containers, resulting in improper disposal.

In response, the city plans to focus its public awareness campaign on the theme "Small Actions, Big Changes, Resource-Circulating City Gwangju," highlighting proper methods of food waste disposal. Banners will be installed at local administrative welfare centers, and starting in October, the city will utilize its own promotional videos to raise awareness through various media, including TV, buses, YouTube, and electronic billboards.

Additionally, the city will produce and distribute informational leaflets outlining practical steps such as removing moisture before disposal, using designated collection containers, shopping and meal planning to minimize waste, taking only as much food as one can eat, and packing leftovers.

Alongside these promotional activities, the city will organize joint inspection teams with the five district offices until October 2, focusing special crackdowns on commercial areas, detached houses, and studio apartment complexes, where waste management is typically weaker than in apartment complexes. If improper disposal is detected, such as not using designated collection containers, the city will consider administrative actions such as fines in accordance with relevant laws.

Jung Mikyung, head of the Resource Circulation Division, stated, "For the establishment of a proper food waste disposal culture, both local governments and citizens must work together," adding, "We ask for active participation, as small actions by citizens have the power to transform Gwangju's environment."

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