Yangcheon-gu, Pilot Operation of 15 AI Collection Robots for Transparent PET Bottles

‘Testbed Seoul Demonstration Support Project’ Attracted, Securing 15 Transparent PET Bottle AI Collection Robots for Pilot Installation at 13 Locations

Automatically Sorts and Collects Up to 30 Bottles per Person per Day, Earn Points for Cash Refunds

Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Gijae) has attracted Seoul City's ‘Testbed Seoul Demonstration Support Project’ and secured 15 transparent PET bottle AI collection robots that accumulate points and refund cash when PET bottles are inserted. These robots have been pilot-installed at 13 locations and will begin full operation this month.

The ‘Testbed Seoul Demonstration Support Project’ attracted by the district provides local government sites as demonstration venues for products applying 4th industrial revolution innovative technologies, supporting the growth and market development of small and startup companies.

The district benefits from receiving new technology support free of charge, reducing budget expenses, while residents have the advantage of quickly accessing advanced technology.

The unmanned robots equipped with artificial intelligence technology automatically sort and collect transparent PET bottles with labels removed. Points are accumulated according to the number of PET bottles, which can be redeemed for cash.

Depending on the size of the PET bottle, bottles 500ml or less earn 5 points each, and those larger earn 10 points. Each person can insert up to 30 bottles per day. Once 3,000 points are accumulated, they can be redeemed for cash through the ‘Return Ssam’ application. This point-to-cash conversion system is expected to greatly contribute to environmental protection by encouraging resource circulation of PET bottles, which are the most frequently discarded in daily life.

The district has pilot-installed 15 collection robots at 13 locations with high foot traffic and good accessibility for residents, including Paris Park, Yangcheon Park, Sinwol 5-dong and Sinjeong 6-dong Community Centers, and Mokdong Senior Welfare Center, and began full operation this month.

In addition to PET bottles, the district operates 7 paper pack collection machines at daycare centers and smart libraries, with last year’s collection amount reaching 5,200kg.

Lee Gijae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, “Through the operation of resource circulation collection robots, we aim to rediscover the hidden value of waste and create a city where recycling is enjoyable, Yangcheon-gu.” He added, “Since the small actions of residents become the foundation for a better tomorrow, we ask for active participation in resource circulation activities.”