Gyeonggi Province Strengthens Living Waste Recycling

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 17th that it plans to raise the recycling rate of living waste to 59% by 2010 through the expansion of recycling facilities.

Last year, the daily generation of living waste was 9,287 tons, of which the recycling ratio was 57.9% (5,375 tons), incineration 27.6% (2,559 tons), and landfill 1,353 tons (14.6%).

The province plans to increase the number of public waste sorting facilities, which currently sort recyclable waste such as plastics, paper, and bottles from apartment complexes and other multi-unit housing, from the current 32 to 43, and raise the daily processing capacity from 1,800 tons to 1,492 tons.

By year, the province will construct waste sorting facilities in 6 locations this year (Gapyeong, Gwangju, Ansan, Yongin, Uijeongbu, and Hanam), 3 locations in 2008 (Anseong, Yangpyeong, and Yangju), and 2 locations in 2010 (Pyeongtaek and Hwaseong).

Additionally, the province will expand food waste composting facilities from 19 facilities with a daily processing capacity of 1,111 tons to 28 facilities with a daily processing capacity of 1,896 tons.

Three facilities will be established this year (Gwangmyeong, Suwon, and Paju), three in 2008 (Ansan, Osan, and Yeoju), and three in 2010 (Gwangju, Siheung, and Yongin).

In addition, 12 expired landfill sites will be transformed into residential rest spaces featuring sports facilities such as baseball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, and badminton courts, as well as ecological parks and theme parks with walking trails.

A provincial official said, "Waste incineration facilities and landfills tend to cause secondary pollution and resident complaints, so we will gradually reduce them and expand eco-friendly waste treatment facilities with higher recycling rates."