![]() Later in 2010, the government also allowed major grocery store chains to replace single-use grocery bags with multi-purpose plastic bags that can be used as litter bags in the area, in order to reduce the number of plastic bags discarded after grocery shopping.Īfter eight years of implementation, the VBWF system has proved to be very successful in reducing MSW generation in South Korea. The law requires that residents properly sort out their waste and imposes fines of up to approximately $1,000 for violations of the garbage disposal rules. Residents pay different fees for the bags depending on the size and the regions in which they reside, while enjoying a free service for collection of recyclables. The main objective of the VBWF system is two-fold: To impose waste treatment costs on each polluter based on the amount of waste generated, and to provide free collection service for recyclable wastes, thereby inducing reduction in generation of wastes at source and encouraging the collection of recyclable wastes.įive kinds of waste bags are used in this system, which categorise waste into domestic waste, food waste, business waste, public purposes, and construction debris. In 1995, in an attempt to reduce the quantity of waste and increase the rate of recycling, the South Korean government implemented a VBWF system countrywide. Strong policy instrument on waste recycling Since the RFID system is the most suitable option for the objective of a volume-based fee system, the Ministry of Environment recommends this system. The RFID system allows the information on a discharge to be checked through an electronic tag, and fees are charged according to the waste volume. The chip or sticker system requires a discharger to buy a payment chip or sticker and attach it to a collection container to be picked up. ![]() The fees are collected in proportion to the amount of food waste through the cost of purchasing the bags. The standard bag system is one in which a discharger buys a standard plastic bag to dispose of food waste. Using radio-frequency identification (RFID) to track the weight of the food waste Chip or stickers system permitting food waste disposal Charging per standard food waste disposal bag Presently in Seoul, all food waste disposal is charged based on the volume or weight, depending on the method each municipality chooses among: The proportion of waste to be incinerated and recycled kept increasing while that to be disposed in landfills kept decreasing in Korea. Earlier, most municipal waste was reclaimed in local or metropolitan landfills and very little waste was recycled.īack in 1991, recyclable waste started increasing due to the compulsory separate collection,where household waste is separated to recyclable material, food waste and the rest. In South Korea, the disposal of municipal waste is divided into landfill, recycling, composting and incineration. However, its world-class solid waste management (SWM) legislation and initiatives including a volume-based waste disposal fees (VBWF) system, a deposit refund system, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and bans on problematic plastic items and packaging have all significantly contributed to waste reduction since the early 1990s. With rapid urbanisation, the Seoul Metropolitan Area has struggled with growing waste problems. Nevertheless, it has one of the most rigorous waste recycling programmes in the world.įor the last three decades, waste reduction and waste diversion from landfills have been key priorities in South Korea. Seoul, the capital of South Korea, has over 10 million people generating 9,189 tonnes of municipal solid waste per day.
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