[Photo] Han Jeong-ae, Minister of Environment, Visits Eunpyeong-gu Village Recycling Site

Promotion of Resource Circulation through Eunpyeong-type Green New Deal 'Eunpyeong Green Moa Moa'

Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae (right) is posing while receiving an explanation about the Green MoaMoa project from Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong District, at the Eunpyeong District Office on the 16th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae visited the 'Eunpyeong Green Moa Moa' site to check the recycling waste disposal process and listened to the voices of resource managers and residents on site.

So far, Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong District, has emphasized that promoting resource circulation is an important strategy of the Green New Deal, which enables sustainable development and a carbon-neutral economy. The Eunpyeong-type Green New Deal, aimed at promoting resource circulation through improving the recycling waste separation system, is precisely the Eunpyeong Green Moa Moa.

The existing mixed disposal method of recyclables in single-family housing areas had problems such as high sorting costs and decreased value of recyclables due to contamination with food waste and other residues.

At Eunpyeong Green Moa Moa, with residents' consent, residents separate and dispose of recyclables into eight categories, including transparent PET bottles, at 10 to 20 designated collection points in each village on specified days and times.

By disposing of recyclables in a clean state of 'Bihangbunseok' (emptying, rinsing, separating, and not mixing), the value of recyclables is increased, and they are sold immediately without separate sorting after collection, reducing processing costs.

Also, by using portable recycling bins that are easy to install and dismantle, spatial constraints for collection are overcome, and after operation, the bins are removed to prevent environmental pollution caused by illegal dumping.

The government's policy on separate collection of transparent PET bottles has also achieved great results, and the transparent PET bottles collected at Moa Moa are of such high quality that the recycling industry recognizes them.

These transparent PET bottles contribute to creating high added value for domestically produced PET by being turned into clothing products through Black Yak.

The role of resource managers is crucial for Moa Moa to function as a Green New Deal project. Two to three resource managers operate at each Moa Moa site, promoting 'Bihangbunseok' to residents while managing the site. This public job closely connected to daily life contributes to environmental conservation and improves residents' quality of life.

Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong District, said, “I hope that Eunpyeong Green Moa Moa, which started in Eunpyeong, will expand nationwide and present a new path to open a resource circulation society,” adding, “We will work with the Ministry of Environment through various policies such as waste source reduction and zero waste to create a sustainable circular economy society where environment, economy, and society harmonize.”

Following this, Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae said, “The village bustling with residents coming out to separate waste was impressive,” and added, “Eunpyeong Moa Moa seems to be showing the way forward for recycling.”