The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on January 16 at Seoul Seongdong-gu Office with Jongno-gu, Seongdong-gu, and Dongdaemun-gu Offices, and the Korea Fiber Resources Recycling Association. This agreement is to establish a pilot project for the recycling system of textile waste generated from sewing factories and others.

This pilot project involves separating and sorting textile waste, which was previously incinerated, landfilled, or used as a heat source in standing repo facilities (SRF), into different materials. The sorted materials will be recycled into products such as vehicle soundproofing materials. The significance lies in the transformation of textile waste from simple incineration or disposal into a material recycling system.

The three Seoul districts participating in this agreement will provide on-site support to ensure that textile waste is separated and sorted by material in dedicated collection bags. They will also assist in covering the costs associated with proper collection, transportation, and recycling to ensure effective handling. 

In addition, the Korea Fiber Resources Recycling Association will supply dedicated bags to facilitate the smooth separation, collection, and sorting of textile waste. Through material sorting, the Association aims to ensure a seamless supply of raw materials, supporting member companies in producing various recycling products such as soundproofing materials and pellets. 

The Ministry will oversee and promote this pilot project, providing policy and institutional support. It also plans to expand the participation of local governments where a significant amount of textile waste is generated.

Furthermore, through this agreement, there are plans to evaluate △the cost reduction effects on waste disposal for producers such as sewing factories, △the minimization of incineration and landfill through separation, sorting, and recycling, and △the achievements in recycling textile waste. The results of this assessment will be used to improve the system and incorporate it into future policies. 

Cho Hyeon-su, Director of the Resources Circulation Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, stated, "Textile waste is inherently challenging to sort by material, but it can be used as high-value resources capable of high-quality recycling." He added, "If separation and sorting are implemented, it is possible to make a revolutionary transition to a material recycling system. We will continue to discover and expand excellent sorting and recycling systems."

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com