Gwangju Dong-gu to Operate 'Donggurami Mobile Store' Starting in April

Expansion of Cash Rewards for Recyclables

Exterior view of Gwangju Donggu District Office.

Gwangju Dong-gu (District Chief Lim Taek) announced on the 25th that the "Donggurami Mobile Store," which provides cash rewards for recyclable materials and had been temporarily suspended during the winter season, will resume and expand its operations starting from the 1st of next month.

Last year, over 100,000 residents visited the Donggurami Store and collected 34 tons of recyclables. The amount of carbon dioxide that would have been generated from incinerating the collected plastics is equivalent to 24 tons. Through proper separation and disposal by residents, carbon emissions were reduced, contributing to environmental protection.

At the Donggurami Store, residents who bring in clean and sorted recyclable resources from home can earn points on the integrated resource circulation platform app "Donggurami On" based on the weight of each item, which can then be exchanged for cash. The items eligible for rewards include 11 categories such as transparent PET bottles, plastics, cans, paper, and gel ice packs.

This year, the mobile Donggurami Store will be set up, using the Dong-gu Cultural Center as a base, and will visit four village community centers (Chungjang, Gyerim 2, Jisan 2, and Jiwon 2-dong) and the small theater in Dongmyeong-dong on designated days each week to improve accessibility for residents. Residents can visit the designated Donggurami Store in their area between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on the assigned day, receive guidance on how to properly separate and dispose of recyclables, and participate in the reward program to receive compensation.

Lim Taek, Chief of Dong-gu District, stated, "The Donggurami Store is more than just a space for recycling; it is a platform for residents to come together, think about the environment, and take action." He added, "I hope that many residents will participate so that Dong-gu can become a leading city in building a sustainable circular economy."