Gangnam-gu Completely Overhauls Clothing Collection Bin Management System

Building the 'Gangnam-Style Virtuous Cycle Model'
Linking Resource Circulation and Donations

On October 20, Gangnam-gu in Seoul (District Mayor Cho Sungmyung) announced a complete overhaul of its integrated management system for clothing collection bins, introducing a sustainable administrative model that combines resource circulation with public-interest donations.

Provided by Gangnam-gu.

Until now, clothing collection bins were managed by a system in which each contracted company directly manufactured and installed the bins and operated all 22 neighborhoods independently. This approach led to various issues, such as neglected aging bins, declining quality of collection services, and disputes over road occupancy fees.

In response, Gangnam-gu established a legal foundation by enacting the “Ordinance on the Installation and Management of Clothing Collection Bins in Gangnam-gu, Seoul” in May, and completely reorganized its management system. The district first divided the previously single operational structure into two zones to encourage competition among companies and improve collection quality and service.

Additionally, the district shifted to a model in which it directly manufactures the bins and leases them to operators, resolving road occupancy fee issues and regulating indiscriminate installations. The newly introduced bins will feature a branding design under the “Eco-Travel” concept, which is expected to enhance the city’s aesthetics.

Notably, Gangnam-gu has become the first district in Seoul to introduce a virtuous cycle model in which profits from clothing collection bins are donated to local scholarship programs. The district will link surplus profits, after deducting lease fees, to public-interest donations and has developed its own formula for calculating donation amounts. With 300 bins as a baseline, at least 7.8 million won per year in donations will be secured and used for local youth scholarships and similar initiatives.

Cho Sungmyung, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, stated, “Activating resource circulation is not a choice but a necessity in response to climate change and the landfill crisis,” adding, “Starting with clothing collection bins, we will expand the ‘Gangnam-style virtuous resource circulation model’ to various waste sectors.”

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