Volume-based Waste System in Rural Villages

Beginning in the second half of next year, waste bags will become thicker, and humidifier, hanger, door, aquarium, washstand, and vase will have to be disposed separately.

The Ministry of Environment announced yesterday a comprehensive plan to improve the volume-based waste system. The new plan will be enacted beginning in the second half of next year after going through the necessary formalities including the revision of regulations in each local government.

According to the new plan, the number of large size waste, of which disposal requires the attachment of sticker instead of being put into the waste bag, increases from 20 items in 3 categories to 54 items in 4 categories.

Stickers for the large size waste, which can be bought only from a down-block office (dong office) currently, will be available to be purchased in a regular store that sells waste bags. The Ministry decided to introduce a system in which a designated professional company can pick up the waste through a phone call.

The Ministry decided to make the bags thicker and to make the bag opaque to protect privacy. The current length of string will be extended from 5 centimeter to 7-23 centimeter to tie the bag easily. The Ministry also plans to enable the exchange of waste bags when one moves into other area if the price of bags remains the same.

The Ministry of Environment decided to set up waste storage containers per rural village and to carry out the volume-based waste system according to which people pay the disposal fee in accordance with the volume of waste in rural and fishing area, the dead zone of the volume-based waste system, by way of showing an example.

Young-A Soh sya@donga.com