Gangseo-gu Adds 4 More Unmanned Collection Machines for Separate Disposal of PET Bottles and Cans

Unmanned Collection Machine (Photo by Gangseo-gu Office)

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon) will additionally install 'transparent PET bottle unmanned collection machines' integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The additional installation locations are three places: Gomdallae Cultural Welfare Center, Hwagok 4-dong Community Service Center, and Magok Sports Center. A total of four machines, including three unmanned collection machines exclusively for transparent PET bottles and one for cans, will be operated starting January next year.

To use the unmanned collection machine, users enter their mobile phone number, then slowly insert transparent PET bottles one by one after emptying the contents and removing the labels. The AI-equipped unmanned collection machine recognizes the quantity and automatically compresses the transparent PET bottles or cans when inserted. Since 2019, the district has been operating four mixed unmanned collection machines for transparent PET bottles and cans at three locations: the district office, Gangseo-gu Citizens' Hall, and Gayang Sports Center.

The amount of transparent PET bottles and cans collected through the unmanned collection machines has shown a high level of resident participation, increasing ninefold over three years: 8,758 kg in 2020, 19,262 kg in 2021, 43,091 kg in 2022, and 75,286 kg as of October 2023.

Regardless of size, 10 points are accumulated per PET bottle or can collected, and each person can insert up to 30 items per day. When 2,000 points or more are accumulated, users can redeem cash through a dedicated application.