Gwanak-gu Focuses Administrative Efforts on 'Zero Waste' Direct Landfill Ban

by Kim Minjin

Published 27 Apr.2026 08:08(KST)

11% Reduction in Municipal Solid Waste Over Four Years

Gwanak-gu in Seoul is implementing comprehensive resource circulation policies in line with the full-scale ban on direct landfilling of municipal solid waste in the Seoul metropolitan area, which has been in effect since January 1, 2026. The district is operating a range of measures, from strengthening waste separation at public offices and mandating the installation of five-category recycling bins at event venues, to public-private cooperation for the collection of used coffee grounds.

This year’s scene from Gwanak-gu Unauthorized Dumping Security Guards’ PaBong Campaign. Provided by Gwanak-gu.

The amount of municipal solid waste generated in Gwanak-gu decreased by about 11%, from 41,715 tons in 2022 to 36,916 tons in 2025. According to Gwanak-gu, this is the result of creating structural changes that enable practical action in daily life, not just simple reduction campaigns. Building on this downward trend, the district aims to establish a culture of resource circulation throughout the community this year.

To systematically collect waste vinyl, which is often discarded with general waste, Gwanak-gu has installed "vinyl-only collection bins" at all recycling stations in public offices. Additional efforts to create a "disposable-free office" include restrictions on single-use products within office buildings, the installation of tumbler washing machines, and the introduction of a reusable cup rental system. The tumbler ownership rate among employees has reached 95%, and a survey conducted by a civic environmental group last year found that the rate of single-use product entry into district offices was 9%-the lowest among all Seoul districts.

Since March, it has become mandatory to install "five-category recycling bins" at all events organized by Gwanak-gu. The goal is to systematically separate waste generated at event venues, minimizing the amount of recyclable resources disposed of as general waste.

Used coffee grounds and paper cartons from 580 coffee shops in the district are directly collected through public-private collaboration and recycled into solid fuel and high-quality pulp raw materials. Last year alone, 454 tons of coffee grounds and 5.5 tons of paper cartons were collected.

Tailored measures to reduce household waste are also being rolled out in earnest. These include subsidies for purchasing small food waste reduction machines, distributing dedicated recycling bags, and a paper carton-to-toilet paper exchange program-all aimed at improving the conditions for waste separation and recycling.

The "Relay Bag Opening Campaign," in which pay-as-you-throw garbage bags are opened to check the status of recyclable materials being mixed in, was conducted in all 21 neighborhoods of the district for a month starting March 3. The "Recycling Pledge Challenge" will continue through the 30th. Given the high proportion of single-person households and the prevalence of food delivery culture in the area, "Reusable Practice Supporters" are also being deployed on-site. These supporters visit local restaurants and delivery businesses to encourage participation in the reusable container support project (Zero Restaurant).

Gwanak-gu has been recognized for its performance, including being named an excellent autonomous district in Seoul’s Urban Cleanliness Assessment for two consecutive years, an excellent district in recycling performance evaluation for two consecutive years, and winning the free home appliance collection service competition for three consecutive years.

A Gwanak-gu official stated, "The establishment of an efficient collection system and the introduction of proactive resource circulation policies are bringing real change to both the administrative field and residents’ daily lives," adding, "We will continue to actively utilize related policies across all administrative areas to create a clean and sustainable Gwanak-gu where the value of zero waste can be truly experienced."