Residents' Odor Distress from Food Waste Treatment Facility in Jangji-dong, Songpa-gu Resolved

[Seoul Autonomous District News] A Total of 5 Billion KRW Invested in Odor Improvement Construction to Be Completed by June 2023 & Seogangseok, Songpa District Mayor, States "Promoted as a Core Pledge of the 8th Elected Term, Resolving a 10-Year Resident Wish"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seogang Seok) is investing 5 billion KRW to undertake a major improvement project to resolve long-standing odor complaints caused by the food waste treatment facility located in Jangji-dong.

Seogang Seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “Residents in the Jangji-dong area have suffered from odors caused by the food waste treatment facility for the past 10 years, enduring significant inconvenience and distress. To promptly address the residents’ long-standing concerns, we have made the odor improvement project a key pledge of the 8th local government administration.”

The food waste treatment facility at Songpa-gu Resource Circulation Park (793 Heolleung-ro) has been processing approximately 350 tons of food waste daily since 2012 from seven Seoul districts including Songpa-gu, Gangnam, and Gwangjin.

While the district contributes to resource circulation by converting food waste into eco-friendly dried feed through the treatment facility, ongoing odor complaints from local residents have led to the pursuit of fundamental improvement measures.

This improvement project focuses on odor collection and deodorization function enhancement within the treatment facility following an odor technology diagnosis. The project includes ▲improving 2 existing deodorization units and installing 1 new unit ▲adding 2 new deodorizer outlets to expand to a total of 5 ▲improving and installing new collection ducts.

Upon completion, odor gas removal and deodorization efficiency will be significantly improved, greatly reducing the odors perceived by residents. Construction is scheduled to begin in December and be completed by June 2023.

To this end, the district secured 3 billion KRW in external funding through consultations with local National Assembly members and city councilors, including 1 billion KRW in national funds and 2 billion KRW in city funds. Additionally, the district allocated 1 billion KRW and the treatment facility’s entrusted operator, Reclean, invested 1 billion KRW, raising a total budget of 5 billion KRW.

Mayor Seogang Seok of Songpa-gu said, “An important role of local administration is to proactively identify residents’ inconveniences and swiftly provide the best administrative services. Moving forward, we will continuously inspect and improve resource circulation facilities to contribute efficiently to resource circulation and create a pleasant environment for our residents.”