Start of Waste Collection and Transportation Service Exclusive to Mapo-gu Hongdae Cultural and Arts Tourism Special Zone
Entering 24-Hour Special Management System... Expanded from 5 Nighttime Collections per Week to 7-Day Day and Night Collection System for Fundamental Problem Resolution... Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, "We Will Do Our Best to Make Hongdae a World-Class Destination"
Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su)'s Hongdae Cultural Arts Tourism Special Zone has transformed from the stereotype of being an unclean tourist area into a pleasant and pristine environment, drawing attention.
On June 1st, Mapo-gu launched the "Hongdae Cultural Arts Tourism Special Zone Household Waste Collection and Transportation Service" to handle the large volume of household waste generated in the Hongdae area and initiated a 24-hour special management system.
The Hongdae area is home to the world-famous "Red Road," where various festivals are held and serves as a cultural and artistic hub attracting continuous visits from domestic and international tourists. However, with the large crowds, cigarette butts and illegal advertisements discarded on the streets increased, creating an urgent need for solutions to maintain a clean street environment.
In response, since July 2023, Mapo-gu has established a comprehensive plan for environmental maintenance throughout the Hongdae Cultural Arts Tourism Special Zone, designated the area as a "Special Environmental Maintenance Zone," and selected an agency in May 2024 to be responsible for this special zone.
First, aiming to create a "clean and pleasant Hongdae Cultural Arts Tourism Special Zone 24/7, 365 days a year," the existing waste collection system, which collected household waste once at night five days a week (Sunday to Thursday), was expanded to six times daily, both day and night, seven days a week.
Additionally, in areas where waste frequently accumulates, household waste is collected and transported regularly to fundamentally resolve the garbage problem.
Furthermore, about 30 sanitation workers have been deployed on major roads including Red Road and narrow alleys in Hongdae to promptly clean litter that spoils street aesthetics, maintain cleanliness of cigarette butt bins, and accelerate the creation of a clean street environment.
A business owner near Hongdae Red Road commented, "The Hongdae streets have changed remarkably recently," adding, "The piles of trash that used to accumulate on busy Fridays and Saturdays have disappeared, so there is no bad odor and the area looks much better," expressing satisfaction.
The scope of this service contract also includes activities that were previously difficult to manage, such as reporting and removing illegal advertisements, nighttime cleaning of public restrooms heavily used by tourists, collection of coffee grounds, moving unauthorized items that pose risks or obstacles to pedestrians, and reporting illegal parking, thereby comprehensively managing the Hongdae Cultural Arts Tourism Special Zone.
In addition, Mapo-gu installed a zero-incineration store at Red Road R1, which is gaining attention as an alternative to building an incineration plant, to raise awareness among residents and tourists about the importance of reducing household waste and to collect recyclable waste, significantly reducing the amount of waste sent for incineration.
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, stated, "We have implemented this dedicated management service to further enhance the value of the Hongdae Red Road area, the heart of culture and arts," and added, "Mapo-gu will do its utmost to fully bring out the charm of the Hongdae Cultural Arts Tourism Special Zone and help it become the world's top destination."
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo District, is cleaning up trash on Hongdae Red Road last October Halloween Day.
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