Uijeongbu City Establishes Foundation for Stable Incineration Plant Operation... Emphasizes Waste Reduction Practices

On October 2, Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Donggeun) announced that it has completed the regular maintenance of its resource recovery facility and will resume stable operation of the incineration plant.

Uijeongbu City has completed the regular maintenance of the resource recovery facility and will resume stable operation of the incineration plant. Photo by Uijeongbu City

This regular maintenance was carried out to prevent safety issues that may arise from aging facilities and to secure high-efficiency waste treatment capabilities. In particular, it holds significant meaning as a process of reinforcing and optimizing the facility in advance to respond to the complete ban on direct landfilling of municipal solid waste, which will be fully implemented from January 1, 2026. Through this maintenance, the city has established a foundation for both stable incineration and regional environmental preservation in the future.

The core of the regular maintenance was the replacement of major incinerator equipment and comprehensive safety inspections. The city meticulously replaced the refractory bricks inside the incinerator, cleaned auxiliary equipment, and conducted thorough facility inspections. In addition, the grate drive system was reinforced to enhance incineration performance. The maintenance work was carried out over a period of three weeks, with specialized personnel and technical staff completing the project within the planned schedule.

The city emphasizes that this regular maintenance goes beyond simple facility management and serves as a strategic measure to prepare for future changes in waste management policy. Starting January 2026, when the direct landfilling of municipal solid waste is completely banned, the incineration plant will reach its capacity limit, leading to concerns about increased treatment costs and environmental risks. Therefore, ensuring the stable operation of the incineration plant becomes a crucial task directly linked to citizens' daily lives. This regular maintenance has strengthened the durability and efficiency of the incineration facility, laying the groundwork for a proactive response in the era of the direct landfill ban.

Furthermore, responding to the landfill ban cannot be accomplished through facility maintenance alone. The effectiveness of the policy can be maximized only when citizens' efforts to reduce municipal solid waste are combined. The city is emphasizing various everyday practices, such as proper separation and disposal of recyclables and reducing the use of single-use products. In particular, reducing waste generated at homes and businesses can significantly alleviate the treatment burden that may arise after the landfill ban is enforced.

After completing the regular maintenance, the city is now monitoring the operation status of the incinerator in real time through a monitoring system. Incineration efficiency, temperature, and emission gas levels are constantly managed, and the system has been strengthened to enable immediate action in case of any anomalies. The city also plans to continuously advance the operation of the resource recovery facility in line with waste management policies promoted by the Ministry of Environment and Gyeonggi Province.

The incineration plant is not merely a facility for burning waste, but a key foundation for advancing toward a resource-circulating society. Recovering thermal energy generated during the incineration process and utilizing it for local heating and electricity is a representative example of energy resource utilization. The city plans to further strengthen this virtuous cycle by reducing waste and safely incinerating unavoidable waste to produce recyclable energy.

Mayor Kim Donggeun stated, "Regular maintenance of the resource recovery facility is fundamental to ensuring citizens' safety and a pleasant living environment. Stable operation of the incineration plant is more important than ever as we prepare for the ban on direct landfilling of municipal solid waste. The effectiveness of the policy increases when citizens reduce waste generation in their daily lives and participate in proper separation and disposal. We will do our utmost to create a resource-circulating society together with citizens and the administration."

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