Yangpyeong County Reduces Waste Despite Population Growth, Thanks to "Recycling Keepers"
Recycling Keepers at Designated Disposal Facilities in Towns and Townships
Creating a Cleaner Living Environment
Yangpyeong County in Gyeonggi Province, led by County Governor Jeon Jinseon, announced on November 5 that it is actively operating the "Our Neighborhood Recycling Keeper" project to promote proper disposal of household waste and to create a clean community waste disposal environment.
Yangpyeong County operates the "Our Neighborhood Recycling Keeper" project to promote proper disposal of household waste and create a clean designated disposal environment. Photo by Yangpyeong County
The "Our Neighborhood Recycling Keeper" project has become a core environmental policy of the Yangpyeong Resource Circulation Center. Under this initiative, one recycling keeper is assigned to each of the 252 community waste disposal facilities installed across the towns and townships of Yangpyeong County. Their responsibilities include facility management, providing guidance and education on waste separation, and directly handling illegal or improperly separated waste, thereby strengthening the management system. This approach aims to improve both the convenience for residents in disposing of waste and the recycling rate.
During the on-site evaluation for the "Clean Yangpyeong 2025" campaign, Yangpyeong County highlighted as key achievements the feedback from residents that streets have become cleaner despite a growing population, and the reduction in annual per capita municipal waste generation.
According to the county, the population of Yangpyeong increased by 543 people, from 128,457 at the end of December 2024 to 129,000 at the end of September 2025. However, during the same period, the average monthly household waste generation decreased by 56 tons, from 2,334 tons to 2,278 tons.
Taking seasonal variations into account and converting this to annual figures, the total household waste generation is projected to decrease by approximately 350 tons, from 28,009 tons in 2024 to 27,659 tons in 2025. The annual per capita household waste generation is expected to decrease by about 4 kilograms, from 218 kilograms to 214 kilograms.
These results are attributed to a combination of various policies implemented by the Yangpyeong Resource Circulation Center-including increased use of reusable products, resource circulation education, and strengthened efforts to prevent illegal dumping-as well as the proactive activities of the "Our Neighborhood Recycling Keeper" project.
In particular, the county is enhancing the capabilities of the recycling keepers by implementing a "responsibility-based management" approach, rather than simply focusing on guidance. After recruitment, customized on-site training is provided, and the keepers conduct direct inspections of the community disposal facilities. If any facility is found to be inadequately managed, additional job training and on-site evaluations by town or township are conducted to continuously improve practical skills.
County Governor Jeon Jinseon stated, "Through the Our Neighborhood Recycling Keeper project, we will thoroughly manage community disposal facilities and establish a customized waste disposal system that satisfies both residents and the environment. Through resource circulation policies, we will reduce household waste and create a clean living environment, making Yangpyeong an attractive and clean community."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
