"Promoting Reusable Container Usage"
Through a Five-Minute Free Speech
Omiseop Oh, a member of the Gwangju Seo-gu Council from the Democratic Party of Korea, delivered a five-minute free speech at the 333rd extraordinary session plenary meeting held on September 8, calling for the promotion of reusable container usage and improvements to the working conditions of sanitation workers.
Omiseop, a member of the Gwangju Seo-gu Council, is delivering a five-minute free speech at the 333rd extraordinary session plenary meeting held on the 8th. Provided by Gwangju Seo-gu Council
Assemblyman Oh emphasized, "To create a clean and sustainable Seo-gu, it is essential not only to implement policies that reduce waste generation but also to ensure proper treatment of sanitation workers who put these policies into practice on the ground."
He reviewed the current status of Seo-gu's reusable container policy, pointing out, "Disposable products are still widely used at many events, and many residents are not even aware that there is a reusable container rental system." He called for active promotion and institutional improvements to enhance the effectiveness of the system.
In particular, he proposed establishing a systematic approach by providing reusable containers at public events and food-sharing volunteer activities, as well as offering incentives or point accumulation systems to residents who participate in these events.
Assemblyman Oh also noted, "The 75-liter large-volume standard garbage bags currently used in Seo-gu are too heavy, raising safety concerns for sanitation workers, and these large bags also encourage the habit of disposing of recyclables together with regular waste." He suggested, "To protect workers' health and increase recycling rates, we should gradually reduce the maximum capacity of standard garbage bags to 50 liters."
He went on to say, "There is a need to change the title 'sanitation worker' to terms such as 'environmental officer' or 'environmental manager' to enhance occupational pride and social respect. If we are willing to accept a little more inconvenience and improve the system to change perceptions, we can pass on a sustainable community to future generations." He added, "I hope Seo-gu will become a leading district in eco-friendly policies and an autonomous district that practices administration based on respect and consideration."
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