Gwanak-gu Mayor Park Jun-hee Supports Elderly Recycling Collectors with Lightweight Carts... Why?

Considering the Characteristics of Areas with Many Hills and Slopes, Lightweight Rear Carts with Brakes Delivered... Following Last Year's Ordinance Revision, Additional Support Provided Alongside Safety Equipment Such as Reflective Vests and Reflective Bundling Straps

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Junhee) held a 'Love Lightweight Rear Car Delivery Ceremony' at Nakseongdae-dong Community Service Center on the 14th.

At last year's meeting with related organizations in the region, it was confirmed that 4 out of 5 nighttime traffic accidents involved elderly people collecting waste paper. Elderly recyclers working at night or dawn using handcarts or rear cars are constantly exposed to traffic accidents and various safety hazards.

Accordingly, the district planned this project to proactively prevent various safety accidents and support activities by delivering specially made rear cars to elderly recyclers in the area who make a living by collecting waste paper and scrap metal.

The delivered rear cars were made considering the geographical characteristics of the district, which has many hills and slopes. They are about one-third to one-half lighter (approximately 15Kg) than existing rear cars and equipped with brakes for easy fixation, allowing the elderly to use them as safely as possible.

In addition, promotional boards for district administration were installed on both sides of the rear cars, which will be periodically replaced and circulated throughout the region, serving as a close-contact promotional channel for the residents.

From the 14th, the district held the lightweight rear car delivery ceremony for five days at five community service centers (Nakseongdae-dong, Euncheon-dong, Jungang-dong, Boramae-dong, Inheon-dong) and plans to complete the support of a total of 44 rear cars to elderly residents in the area by April.

Meanwhile, in July last year, the district partially revised and organized the Ordinance on Reducing Waste and Promoting Resource Recycling in Gwanak-gu to support elderly recyclers. Based on this, in August last year, safety equipment such as reflective vests and reflective straps were provided to 111 elderly people.

Park Junhee, Mayor of Gwanak-gu, said, "I hope this lightweight rear car support will help elderly recyclers in the region live safely and healthily," and added, "We will continue to actively promote safety policies that provide practical support to vulnerable groups in safety blind spots and do our best to make Gwanak-gu a leading community together."