Mayor Lee Donghwan: "Reviving the Value of Discarded Resources to Boost the Environment and Local Economy"

Goyang City Actively Implements 'Circular Economy Policy' in Daily Life
Plans to Transition to Paid Sale of Waste Wood Starting in 2026
Proceeds to Be Reinvested to Establish a Resource Circulation System
'Resource Circulation Day with Schools' Held at 17 Schools

Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) is actively pursuing a 'circular economy' policy that revives the value of discarded waste resources, aiming to both expand municipal finances and protect the environment. In particular, the city is expanding a citizen-participatory resource circulation system in daily life in preparation for the 2026 ban on direct landfill disposal of municipal solid waste in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Panoramic view of Goyang Environmental Energy Facility. Provided by Goyang Special City

According to Goyang Special City on November 26, starting next year, the city plans to sell waste wood from large-sized waste items discarded by citizens and convert it into a new urban resource. Previously, about 10,973 tons of waste wood were processed free of charge by recycling companies, but the city now intends to establish a virtuous cycle by selling the waste wood and reinvesting the proceeds into the municipal budget. Waste wood can be recycled as an eco-friendly energy source, and the city is currently selecting companies and finalizing sales prices through the Onbid platform.

Transfer station loaded with large waste such as waste wood. Provided by Goyang Special City

Transition to Paid Sale of Waste Wood... Laying the Foundation for Resource Circulation

The city's waste-to-energy circulation system is already operating actively. Last year, the Goyang Environmental Energy Facility generated approximately 77,963 Gcal of high-temperature waste heat from the incineration of combustible waste and sold it to the local district heating corporation, earning about 2.2 billion won in revenue. At the Goyang Biomass Energy Facility, 5,344,722 cubic meters of biogas were produced from food waste processing and sold for approximately 67 million won.

The city is also actively introducing advanced systems to improve recycling efficiency. Eleven resource recovery robots installed at seven locations, including City Hall, automatically sort materials and recognize transparent PET bottles and cans, awarding points through a mobile app. By the end of October this year, 13,388 citizens had used the system, collecting a total of 23.7 tons and receiving 13.47 million points.

Additionally, resource circulation shops operating at 15 locations in Deogyang-gu, Ilsandong-gu, and Ilsanseo-gu have introduced smart electronic scales and mobile-linked systems. These shops provide points based on the weight of transparent PET bottles, plastics, cans, and paper packs, and points exceeding 2,000 can be withdrawn as cash. By the end of October, a total of 24 tons had been collected and 7.25 million points distributed, encouraging citizen participation.

Through these systems, Goyang City collected about 48 tons of high-quality recyclable materials and distributed approximately 20.72 million points to citizens this year.

Meanwhile, the city is also expanding its recyclable exchange program at 44 administrative welfare centers. Citizens can collect and bring in 0.3 kg (20 pieces) of used batteries, or 1 kg of transparent PET bottles or paper packs, to exchange for a 10-liter standard waste bag. As of the end of October, 5,779 kg of transparent PET bottles, 48,513 kg of used batteries, and 21,175 kg of paper packs had been collected.

'Resource Circulation Day with Schools' held at Goyang Ogeum Elementary School. Provided by Goyang Special City

Resource Circulation Relay with Schools... On-site Waste Reduction Education Also Underway

Education is also being actively provided to nurture future generations as key players in the circular economy. During the second half of the year, Goyang City is sequentially holding 'Resource Circulation Day with the School' events for kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools.

This is a practical education program in which students experience waste separation at school, and teachers and parents learn about the importance of resource circulation. The city's Resource Circulation Division visits schools directly to conduct weighing of used batteries and paper packs, distribute prizes, and collect items in a one-stop process.

Starting with Doraeul Middle School in July, schools such as Jeodong High School, Byeokje Elementary School, Yongdu Elementary School, and Seongsa High School have participated. In September, Deogi Middle School, Goyang Ogeum Elementary School, and Haengsin Middle School joined, followed by Baekseok High School, Garam Middle School, and Seojeong High School in October, totaling 11 schools. In November, Hwajeong High School, Pungdong High School, and Seojeong Middle School will participate, and in December, Hosu Elementary School, Dasol Kindergarten, and Goyang Songsan Middle School are scheduled to join.

Meanwhile, to further expand resource circulation practices in daily life, the city has been conducting on-site waste reduction education since April. Customized education is provided to apartment management offices, daycare centers, kindergartens, elementary schools, and other institutions or organizations wishing to receive resource circulation education, covering proper recycling separation methods and ways to recycle waste resources in daily life. By the end of this year, a total of 92 educational sessions will have been held at 24 locations.

Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City. Photo by Goyang Special City

Mayor Lee Donghwan of Goyang Special City stated, "We are actively promoting a circular economy that not only minimizes the generation of household waste but also utilizes waste as a valuable resource," adding, "Active participation and cooperation from citizens will be the key driving force to revitalize both the environment and the local economy."

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