The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) will implement the 'Lunar New Year Waste Management Plan' from February 5 to 14, focusing on preventing the accumulation of household waste and intensively cracking down on illegal dumping to ensure a safe and pleasant Lunar New Year holiday for the public.

This management plan, in line with this year's policy direction of the 'action-oriented government,' involves not only local governments nationwide but also relevant agencies such as the Korea National Park Service, the Korea Environment Corporation, the Korea Expressway Corporation, the Korea Railroad Corporation, and the Korea Airports Corporation, to ensure the stable disposal of waste generated during the holidays. 

The main contents of the 'Lunar New Year holiday Waste Management Plan' are as follows.

<Recycling Waste Management>

In order to reduce excessive packaging waste generated by over-packaging, such as Lunar New Year gift sets, local governments will jointly conduct focused inspections on compliance with product packaging standards from January 22 to February 16.

Additionally, to ensure smooth collection of recyclable waste in each local government, nationwide sorting facilities or temporary storage facilities are secured, and fire prevention and facility inspections are conducted for these facilities. An emergency collection system is also maintained, with continuous monitoring of the collection status of recyclable waste.

<Establishment and Operation of a Special Waste Collection System>

During the holidays, local governments nationwide will operate "processing situation teams" and "mobile cleaning teams." They will adjust collection schedules to allow for dispersed waste disposal and notify residents in advance of any changes to minimize inconvenience. 

Additional "separate collection bins" and "food waste-specific collection containers" will be placed around residential areas. Through the expanded operation of public sorting facilities, waste will be processed promptly to minimize inconvenience such as foul odors caused by waste.

Meanwhile, despite the principle of not accepting waste on public holidays, the SUDOKWON Landfill Site Management Corporation plans to allow waste disposal from February 12, the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, in order to minimize inconvenience for residents in the metropolitan area.

<Promotion of Separate Waste Disposal and Crackdown on Illegal Dumping>

The Ministry of Environment plans to promote proper disposal of large amounts of packaging materials such as fruit padding, delivery boxes, and Styrofoam, generated from households, by conducting concentrated promotion through elevators in buildings and public transportation.

For example, fruit padding that is difficult to recycle should be disposed of in standard plastic garbage bags, while paper or Styrofoam boxes should be separated for recycling after removing any tape and stickers attached to the boxes.

Routine patrols will be conducted, focusing on areas prone to habitual dumping, and guidance and enforcement will be strengthened to eradicate unauthorized dumping activities in major roads, congestion areas, rest areas, and other multi-purpose facilities.

<Enhanced Management of Multi-purpose Facilities>

Furthermore, at multi-purpose facilities such as highway rest areas and railway stations where a surge of travelers is expected in a short period, promotional materials such as electronic boards will be utilized to guide visitors on proper waste separation methods. Additionally, management measures such as reallocating cleaning staff, installing additional mobile garbage bins for prompt waste removal, will be implemented to ensure timely cleaning of waste.

Yoo Seung-gwang, Director of the Resource Circulation Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, stated, "We will do our best to ensure that citizens do not experience inconvenience due to discarded waste during the holiday period," He added "We will strive to make the Lunar New Year holiday enjoyable and pleasant through proper waste separation and disposal."

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