Gangbuk-gu Offers 60,000 KRW Monthly for Bringing in Cigarette Butts

Compensation for All Gangbuk-gu Residents Aged 20... 20 KRW per 1g (20,000 KRW per 1kg), Monthly Cap 3kg 60,000 KRW... Apply Every Wed & Thu at Dong Community Center, Minimum Payment Weight 200g

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Kyum-soo) is changing the compensation criteria and application methods to encourage more residents to participate in the cigarette butt collection reward program.

The compensation standard for cigarette butt collection has been changed to 20 KRW per 1g, with a monthly individual limit of 3kg and 60,000 KRW.

The minimum weight eligible for compensation has also changed. If the weight exceeds 200g, 2,000 KRW is paid, and beyond that, compensation is calculated per gram. If the monthly limit weight of 3kg is exceeded, the excess amount is carried over to the next month. Previously ineligible wet butts are now recognized up to 50% of their weight.

The application frequency will be increased to a weekly basis. Residents aged 20 or older can bring collected cigarette butts to their local community service center on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week.

Submission hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and an ID card and a copy of the bankbook are required. Proxy applications or cigarette butts mixed with foreign substances are not accepted.

Compensation will be transferred in bulk to the applicant’s account by the 10th of the following month based on the submission date.

The cigarette butt collection reward program is a system where residents receive compensation based on the weight of cigarette butts collected from the streets. This measure, which restarted in earnest last month, aims to prevent cigarette butts from flowing into rivers or the sea through sewers. Cigarette butts that reach the sea break down into microplastics, threatening aquatic ecosystems.

The district is promoting the program’s necessity through various media channels. Staff members have also actively participated by filming a video documenting the entire process from collecting butts to applying for compensation. Their challenging experience can be viewed on the Gangbuk-gu YouTube channel (City of History, Culture, and Tourism).

For inquiries, contact the Cleaning Administration Division of Gangbuk-gu Office.

Mayor Park Kyum-soo of Gangbuk-gu said, “The ultimate goal of the collection reward program is to protect the ocean from microplastics contained in cigarette butts,” and added, “We ask for your interest and participation in this project that protects the environment and improves urban aesthetics.”