Yeongdeungpo-gu Leading Resource Circulation Practice with 'Sseuda Jeombbang' Operation

Published 19 Apr.2023 07:43(KST)

Every Thursday from March to December, ‘Sseuda Jjombbang’ operates at 75 separate collection points

164 members of the Youngjae Support Group active… exchanging volume-based waste bags, sorting recyclables, etc.

‘Waste Battery and Paper Pack Exchange Project’ implemented… improving residents’ awareness and fostering a resource circulation culture

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced that it will officially operate ‘Sseuda Jjombbang (Waste Diet Store)’, Yeongdeungpo’s representative resource circulation project, starting in March.

Sseuda Jjombbang is a resident-led recycling project where residents can exchange 50 transparent PET bottles, 50 paper packs, and 10 waste batteries for one volume-based waste bag (10ℓ). After piloting Sseuda Jjombbang in two areas, Dangsan 2-dong and Daerim 3-dong, in 2021, the district expanded it to all neighborhoods in 2022.

To operate Sseuda Jjombbang, the district forms the Youngjae Support Group (Yeongdeungpo Recycling Practice Support Group) composed of residents living in the jurisdictional neighborhoods who are familiar with local characteristics and have close ties with the community. The Youngjae Support Group guides residents on proper waste separation and exchange recyclables for volume-based waste bags. They also lead efforts to improve residents’ awareness of resource recycling and practice resource circulation by sorting recyclables and patrolling areas prone to illegal dumping.

Last year, a total of 148 members were selected for the Youngjae Support Group and worked at 65 separate collection points such as recycling stations and clean houses. The group collected 64,223 kg of recyclables including transparent PET bottles and distributed 106,138 volume-based waste bags to 44,752 residents. Repeat participants were given 407 bamboo toothbrushes, a Zero Waste product.

Used Battery Exchange

This year, from March to December, 164 members of the Youngjae Support Group will be active every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. at 75 recyclable material separate collection points.

Additionally, starting mid-March, the district is implementing the ‘Waste Battery Exchange Project’ to improve the collection rate of waste batteries by exchanging them for new batteries. Waste batteries require strict separate disposal because if mixed with general household waste and landfilled, they cause environmental pollution due to heavy metals and pose fire hazards.

The Waste Battery Exchange Project operates at 18 neighborhood community centers. Residents wishing to exchange can visit during the centers’ operating hours and exchange 20 waste batteries for 2 new batteries regardless of size. New batteries are provided up to a maximum of 6 per person per day.

Since 2010, the district has also been running the ‘Paper Pack Exchange Project’ at neighborhood community centers, where 3 kg of paper packs can be exchanged for one roll of toilet paper, contributing to fostering a resource circulation culture in the area.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “Recycling resources is an essential task for the sustainability of our society and future generations. We thank the residents who take the lead in practicing resource circulation in their daily lives, and we ask for continued interest and participation to make Yeongdeungpo a pleasant and livable district.”