Gangnam-gu and Hyundai Department Store Launch First Public-Private Partnership for Waste Vinyl Recycling

On April 29, Gangnam-gu in Seoul (Mayor Seongmyeong Jo) signed a business agreement with Hyundai Department Store at the district office to promote the "Activation of Waste Vinyl Resource Circulation."

This agreement is a proactive measure to respond to the ban on direct landfilling of municipal solid waste in the Seoul metropolitan area, which will take effect in 2026. The goal is to expand waste vinyl recycling and establish a resource circulation system through cooperation between the public and private sectors. This is the first case among the 25 autonomous districts of Seoul in which a local government and a company are collaborating on a waste vinyl pyrolysis (chemical recycling) project.

Gangnam-gu and Hyundai Department Store signed a business agreement on the 29th. Photo right: Seongmyeong Jo, Mayor of Gangnam-gu. Provided by Gangnam-gu.

The district will strengthen its existing public awareness campaign on vinyl recycling, "Biilbije (Vinyl is trash if disposed of as general waste, but a resource if recycled)," while Hyundai Department Store will enhance synergy by linking its ongoing waste vinyl pyrolysis recycling project, "Vinyl to Vinyl." Through these efforts, they plan to recycle waste vinyl in an environmentally friendly manner and establish a robust local resource circulation system.

Currently, waste vinyl recycling through pyrolysis in South Korea is limited due to a lack of processing facilities and the burden of logistics costs. Gangnam-gu plans to combine the capabilities of private companies with the district's administrative power to diversify its waste vinyl treatment methods, shifting from a focus on solid fuel use to pyrolysis recycling.

Additionally, the district will use the recycled vinyl produced through this project to manufacture bags for separate waste collection, which will be distributed to 22 local community centers, encouraging residents to participate in recycling and promoting a culture of resource circulation in daily life.

Mayor Seongmyeong Jo stated, "Collaboration between the public and private sectors is not a choice but a necessity to address the crises of climate change and landfill waste. Together with Hyundai Department Store, we will actively pursue various resource circulation projects to create Gangnam as a leading eco-friendly city in waste reduction."