Lunar New Year Promotion and Cleaning... Dongjak-gu Installs Smart Street Trash Bins

Cleaning and District Promotion at Once!

Combining Billboards and Trash Bins... Improving Urban Aesthetics and Effectively Promoting the District

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Park Ilha) announced on the 13th that it has completed the installation of 10 'Smart Street Trash Bins' around subway station exits and bus stops.

The 'Smart Street Trash Bin,' which combines billboards and trash bins, not only improves urban aesthetics but also displays advertising videos to inform residents about various news from Dongjak-gu, achieving two goals at once.

It is characterized by its added function of promoting the district’s key policies and daily life information while increasing participation in waste separation, which has risen following the easing of social distancing measures.

The street trash bins are gray box-shaped units measuring 160 cm in height and 65 cm in width, installed at 10 locations including exits of Isu Station, Sadang Station, Jangseungbaegi Station subway stations, and bus stops near Soongsil University Station.

Additionally, welcoming spring, the district is simultaneously conducting inspections of roadside rainwater drains, cleaning and repairing street facilities, and large-scale cleaning by neighborhood to create a pleasant environment.

Park Ilha, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, stated, “After piloting the smart street trash bins that can also promote local businesses, we plan to gradually expand their use. We will continue to strive to improve the residents’ comfortable living environment.”

Jung-gu Waste Research Center Saerom Reopens on the 13th After Remodeling

Significant Enhancement of Educational and Convenience Facilities Including Waste Separation Experience Zone, Exhibition and Education Spaces, and Resident Rest Areas

Raising Awareness of Resource Circulation Through Useful Waste Separation Exhibitions, Education, and Experiences in Daily Life

Saerom, the Waste Research Center unique to Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Kim Gilsung), has reopened on the 13th after completing renovations.

Saerom was opened in October 2021 in Gwanghui-dong to address waste issues from the perspective of resource circulation amid the planet suffering from waste problems. This coincided with the upcoming 2026 ban on direct landfill (landfilling of volume-based waste without sorting or incineration) at the metropolitan landfill site, making recycling and resource circulation education essential.

During its first year, Saerom established itself as a hub for spreading the importance of resource circulation. It led various activities such as training resource circulation community activists, providing outreach resource circulation education, resident participation in volume-based waste bag exchange programs, exhibitions, and experiential events. However, due to aging facilities and insufficient convenience spaces, residents found it somewhat lacking, prompting the district to begin remodeling Saerom in November last year.

The entrance roof was constructed using recycled pallets originally used for transporting cargo to emphasize resource circulation practice, and an outdoor rest area was created to greatly enhance openness and accessibility.

A waste separation experience zone was established to allow children and adolescents to directly experience separating recyclables by type, and a multipurpose space was created for education, meetings, and events. The previously underutilized rooftop was equipped with a retractable canopy to provide a comfortable space for rest or small gatherings and events. All restrooms were renovated for comfortable use.

To strengthen resource circulation exhibitions and education, Saerom signed a business agreement with Doosan Distribution BU on February 28. Under this agreement, Doosan Distribution plans to fill the second-floor exhibition space with diverse experiential activities and educational programs.

Mayor Kim Gilsung said, “We have thoroughly reorganized the Waste Research Center Saerom to practice resource circulation where ‘good disposal’ leads to ‘good use.’ We will continue to work with residents to create a sustainable resource circulation city in Jung-gu.”