Sokcho City Expands Citizen Participation in Recyclable Resource Collection System... 59 Tons Collected Annually

37,363 Users in 2025
32 Million Won in Cash Points Redeemed
Paper Carton and Used Battery Exchange Program Shows Results
1.3 Tons of Paper Cartons and 23,000 Used Batteries Collected

Sokcho City in Gangwon Province has been consistently implementing citizen-participatory eco-friendly policies centered on a recyclable resource collection and exchange system. As a result, recycling practices are becoming a natural part of citizens' daily lives through active participation.

Transparent PET Bottle Unmanned Collection Machine. Provided by Sokcho City

Sokcho’s recyclable resource collection and exchange system revolves around the operation of unmanned collection machines and exchange programs for paper cartons and used batteries. The system is characterized by its structure, which allows citizens to directly participate in expanding resource collection and recycling in daily life and reducing the use of disposable products.

The city began by installing five transparent PET bottle unmanned collection machines in 2023, followed by the addition of six transparent PET bottle unmanned collection machines and two can unmanned collection machines in 2024, and five paper carton unmanned collection machines in 2025. Currently, a total of 18 various types of unmanned recyclable resource collection machines are installed and operating at 11 locations throughout the city.

When using these unmanned collection machines, each person can deposit up to 50 paper cartons, cans, or PET bottles per day, earning 10 points per item. For cans and PET bottles, accumulated points can be redeemed for cash once they exceed 2,000 points. For paper cartons, points can be exchanged for gifticons through a dedicated application.

Through these operations, in 2025 alone, the number of unmanned collection machine users reached 37,363, the total amount collected was 59,168 kilograms, and the total amount of cash points redeemed was approximately 32 million won.

The city is also running an exchange program for paper cartons and used batteries in parallel to increase the recovery rate of recyclable resources. This program operates by having citizens visit the Sokcho City Hall’s Environmental Department to make exchanges. The exchange standard is one roll of toilet paper for every 15 paper cartons (based on 900ml size), and one set of batteries (two pieces) for every 15 used batteries. Through this initiative, the city collected approximately 1.3 tons of paper cartons and about 23,000 used batteries in a single year.

Lee Byeongseon, Mayor of Sokcho City, stated, "The operation of unmanned collection machines and the recyclable resource exchange program are policies that enable citizens to directly participate in collecting and reusing recyclable resources in their daily lives," adding, "We will continue to expand the operation methods so that citizen participation can become even more natural going forward."