Chilgok County to Launch Full-Scale Project for AI-Based Recycling of Recyclable Resources

Selected for the Ministry of Science and ICT Project
2026 Smart Village Dissemination and Expansion Project

Chilgok County announced that it has been finally selected for the "2026 Smart Village Dissemination and Expansion Project" organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT, and will officially launch the project titled "Creating ECO-Chilgok through AI-Based Smart Recycling of Recyclable Resources."

This project, with a total budget of 351 million KRW (246 million KRW from the national government and 105 million KRW from the county), plans to install and operate AI-based transparent PET bottle unmanned collection machines at 15 locations, including government offices and parks with high accessibility, within this year.

AI-based transparent PET bottle unmanned collection machines are planned to be installed and operated at 15 locations, including government offices and parks with high accessibility. Photo by Kim Eehwan

These unmanned collection machines will sort and collect transparent PET bottles with an accuracy rate of over 95%, minimizing contamination and mixing during the collection process and enabling the connection to high-quality recycled materials.

Additionally, users will be provided with reward incentives to encourage voluntary participation from residents, and both online and offline support systems will be operated so that even vulnerable groups who may have difficulty using digital services can easily utilize the machines.

An official from Chilgok County stated, "The selection of this Smart Village project will serve as a model case for resource circulation policies utilizing digital technology," adding, "We will create a sustainable ECO-Chilgok through carbon-neutral practices in daily life together with our residents."