Gwanak-gu, Weight Limit Imposed When Disposing General Volume-Based Waste Bags Over 50ℓ

Improving Working Conditions for Sanitation Workers to Ensure Safety and Prevent Accidents... Ordinance Amending Waste Disposal Density Regulations for 50ℓ or Larger Volume-Based Bags Promulgated and Enforced on the 9th

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gwanak-gu (District Mayor Park Junhee) will implement a weight limit for the disposal of general volume-based waste bags of 50ℓ or more starting July 9 to improve the working environment of sanitation workers and ensure work safety.

This measure is in response to the increased risk of safety accidents such as injuries to sanitation workers caused by exceeding the weight limit when disposing of large-capacity volume-based waste bags using compactors.

According to the Ministry of Environment, among 1,822 sanitation worker safety accident victims over the past three years, 15% were injured while lifting heavy garbage bags.

Accordingly, the district has prohibited the use of compactors that allow more weight than the capacity in volume-based waste bags, revised the ordinance regulating waste disposal density for bags of 50ℓ or more, and announced and enforced it on the 9th.

The regulated waste disposal density for volume-based waste bags is 0.25 kg/ℓ or less, meaning a 50ℓ bag must be disposed of with 13 kg or less, and a 75ℓ bag with 19 kg or less.

Earlier, from January 1 of this year, the district stopped producing 100ℓ volume-based waste bags to ensure the safety of sanitation workers.

Additionally, following the implementation of the paid coal ash import to the Sudokwon Landfill Site, a fee will be charged for coal ash disposal starting from the 9th. However, general households, low-income households, operating businesses, and traditional markets are exempt from the fee.

District Mayor Park Junhee said, “We expect that this ordinance revision and enforcement will prevent safety accidents among sanitation workers and improve their working environment,” and added, “We kindly ask residents to dispose of volume-based waste bags with the appropriate amount.”