Songpa-gu Struggles to Increase Waste Vinyl Recycling Rate...Improves Distribution Method of Dedicated Bags
Combined as Non-Sale Items with Volume-Based Bags...Sequentially Provided to Sales Outlets from September 23
Seoul City to Fully Expand Songpa-gu's Improvement Plan to 25 Autonomous Districts Starting Next Year
Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seo Gang-seok) will provide ‘vinyl recycling exclusive bags (hereinafter referred to as exclusive bags)’ free of charge when purchasing volume-based waste bags starting from September 23.
Currently, many cases of disposing of waste vinyl in volume-based waste bags occur due to lack of knowledge or inconvenience in separating and disposing of waste vinyl, resulting in a low recycling rate.
In fact, the amount of waste vinyl generated in Seoul was 730 tons per day in 2022, of which 402 tons, or 55%, were disposed of as general waste and incinerated or landfilled.
Accordingly, the district supplies self-produced non-sale exclusive bags combined with volume-based waste bags to sales outlets. When purchasing volume-based waste bags, the exclusive bags are naturally included, improving the convenience of separating and disposing of waste vinyl not only for businesses but also for general households.
The exclusive bags are provided by combining 3 sheets (20ℓ) with bundled products of 10ℓ or 20ℓ volume-based waste bags, which are commonly used in general households.
The product will be sequentially supplied to volume-based waste bag sales outlets in the area starting from September 23, and anyone can purchase it.
Seoul City plans to fully introduce the district’s improved distribution method to all 25 autonomous districts starting next year. The district explained that this decision was made based on the judgment that it is suitable for reducing the budget for distributing exclusive bags and addressing misdelivery issues.
Until December this year, the pilot project will also expand the items for vinyl separation and disposal. ▲ Product packaging such as snack bags ▲ Delivery vinyl with stickers ▲ Thermal insulation packs ▲ All vinyl including onion nets are subject to separate disposal, and if severely contaminated, foreign substances must be removed before separate disposal. However, food packaging wrap should be disposed of in volume-based waste bags.
In August, the district distributed vinyl recycling exclusive bags to 10,014 businesses that generate large amounts of waste, including restaurants, cafes, bakeries, pubs, chicken specialty stores, convenience stores, and lodging facilities, while simultaneously conducting focused management and promotion for vinyl separation and disposal.
Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “We are implementing various policies to promote recycling in preparation for the ban on direct landfill of household waste in 2026,” and added, “We ask residents to actively participate in separating and disposing of vinyl.”
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