Plastic Waste Influx Surges... Pohang City to Revamp Recycling Sorting System

By 2022, 2.2 Billion Invested... Establishment of a Resource Circulation-Based Sorting Facility Platform System

A view of the recycling sorting facility in Pohang City.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongwook Park] Pohang City will invest 2.2 billion KRW over three years starting next year to promote the establishment of a resource-circulating sorting center platform system for the smooth processing of plastic recycling waste.

According to Pohang City on the 22nd, the average daily total amount of recycling waste generated in the Pohang area has increased compared to last year before the outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The daily average was about 49 tons last year, but this year it has increased by about 5% to approximately 51 tons.

In particular, the amount of plastic recycling waste such as PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and PE (polyethylene) has surged due to increased use of disposable products from strengthened COVID-19 life quarantine measures and changes in ordering and consumption patterns of delivery food.

Moreover, since China banned the import of plastic waste such as waste vinyl in 2018, the price of domestic waste plastic has plummeted, causing economic feasibility to disappear. As a result, junk dealers and collection carriers have given up purchasing, leading to a steady increase in plastic inflow to public recycling facilities every year. The recycling market situation is expected to remain difficult even in the post-COVID-19 era.

Accordingly, Pohang City conducted a feasibility study on the improvement and operation direction of the recycling sorting center last February and established a plan to build a resource-circulating sorting center platform system that comprehensively considers the generation of recycling waste and internal and external conditions. Based on this, a total of 2.2 billion KRW will be invested in phased improvement projects: 575 million KRW in 2021, 1.057 billion KRW in 2022, and 572 million KRW in 2023.

Shin Jeong-hyeok, head of the Resource Circulation Division of Pohang City, said, "While it is necessary to establish a preemptive recycling sorting center system and improve operations in preparation for the post-COVID-19 era, correct separation and disposal of recyclables is most important," urging active participation from citizens.