[Reporter’s Notebook] Geochang County Has No Reason to Further Delay the Use of Recycled Aggregates

Photo by Choi Sunkyung, Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters

Geochang County in South Gyeongsang Province can no longer delay expanding the use of recycled aggregates if it aims to create a sustainable construction environment. Residents are increasingly voicing concerns that, despite the county's emphasis on eco-friendly policies, there has been little visible change in practice.

Although the government has mandated the use of recycled aggregates in public construction projects, local sites continue to repeat old practices, sticking to conventional methods.

Geochang County carries out various living SOC projects and infrastructure construction every year. Given the region's ongoing projects-such as road maintenance, village road expansions, and small-scale river improvements-the use of recycled aggregates is not optional but an essential task.

However, there are still many cases at construction sites where recycled aggregates are avoided due to concerns over "quality" and "supply inconvenience." This disregards the fact that technological advancements and stricter quality standards have already addressed many of these issues. Unless administrative agencies take the lead in changing their mindset, improvements at the field level will remain out of reach.

An even bigger issue is the lack of administrative management and oversight. Even though specific usage ratios are stipulated, performance disclosures are insufficient, and the process of verifying whether recycled aggregates are used in each project is often a mere formality. If policies are only promoted without genuine application on the ground, the county's slogan of becoming an "eco-friendly, resource-circulating city" will remain an empty catchphrase.

Expanding the use of recycled aggregates can have a meaningful impact not only on the local environment but also on the regional economy. Revitalizing the recycling industry base will create local jobs and foster the growth of related businesses. The more proactively Geochang County implements these policies, the greater the improvement in the quality of life for its residents.

The county must now move beyond declarative plans and demonstrate effective, actionable policies. It is necessary to introduce practical measures such as disclosing the usage ratio of recycled aggregates for each project, imposing penalties on underperforming sites, and providing incentives for outstanding contractors. Above all, the county must take the initiative, as only then will private contractors follow suit.

If Geochang County wants to talk about a sustainable future, what is needed now is action, not slogans. Expanding the use of recycled aggregates is the starting point.