Innovative Shift from Full Incineration of Pay-As-You-Throw Waste Bags to a Sorting-Centered Approach
The dedicated waste vinyl sorting facility in Sokcho City, Gangwon Province, has been completed. With the shift from an incineration-based system for handling pay-as-you-throw waste to a sorting-centered approach, the amount of waste incinerated is expected to decrease by more than 30% compared to previous levels, which is also anticipated to improve air quality.
Sokcho City held a completion ceremony on the 23rd for the newly installed "Dedicated Waste Vinyl Sorting Facility" located at 56 Bangchuk-gil, Sokcho City. Photo by Sokcho City
On December 23, Sokcho City held a completion ceremony for the newly installed "Dedicated Waste Vinyl Sorting Facility" located at 56 Bangchuk-gil, Sokcho City.
The core function of the dedicated waste vinyl sorting facility is to move away from the previous method of incinerating all pay-as-you-throw waste bags, instead sorting out waste vinyl. Combustible waste is incinerated, while non-combustible waste is sent to landfill. The goal is to reduce the amount of incinerated waste by more than 30% compared to before, while increasing the recycling rate.
This facility was established as part of a project by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. It is designed to crush and sort only pay-as-you-throw waste bag materials. With the implementation of direct landfill bans in the Seoul metropolitan area in 2026 and nationwide in 2030, many local governments have shown interest and have made inquiries about benchmarking visits.
Sokcho City has previously faced challenges in waste management due to a surge in waste generated by tourists during the peak summer season, but the completion of this sorting facility is expected to ease the processing burden on site.
Additionally, the reduction in incineration is expected to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The sorted waste vinyl will be used as recycled material, contributing to the establishment of a resource circulation system.
Lee Byungseon, Mayor of Sokcho City, emphasized, "The newly installed 'Dedicated Waste Vinyl Sorting Facility' fundamentally improves the previous method of incinerating all pay-as-you-throw waste bag materials. By sorting out recyclable waste from the bags, we can reduce the amount incinerated, increase the recycling rate, and play an important role in achieving carbon neutrality and creating a green city in Sokcho."
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