Regional Resource Recycling Network to be Built

The Ministry of Environment announced its plan to build regional resource recycling network to reduce use of resource and energy and promote recycling. The network, which will be set up first in two regions – Jeonju and Danyang –, is to recycle wastes from a certain region according to the region’s characteristics and widen recycling ranges for those which are difficult to be recycled in the region.

The network will be built based on the following system:

①   Regional specialized industry – Creating resource recycling business model based on the region’s specialized industry

②   Recycling complex – Creating a complex where recycling industries gather and create accumulative effect.

③   Regional consultative group – A group of local governments, companies, recycling companies, and citizens.

④   Operation and support system – Providing information and consulting service through resource recycling information system.

Jeonju Resource Recycling Network

At the comprehensive recycling town, wastes will be sorted and compressed and transferred to recycling complex where they will be processed to be recycled fuel and raw materials. The recycled fuel and raw materials will be used by adjacent specialized industries. In addition, resource recycling support center will provide recycling companies and companies which consume recycled products with information and consulting service. Regional consultative group, which is made of private enterprises, the local government, industries, universities, and institutes, will raise public awareness on waste recycling by encouraging people’s participation in the network.

Danyang Resource Recycling Network

At the specialized resource recycling complex, wastes will be recycled as fuel for cement industry and inorganic sludge will be used as raw materials for cement. Waste stone generated by producing cement will be recycled as soil conditioner by farmers. In addition, garlic stem will be recycled as feed for livestock. Resource recycling support center and regional consultative group will play similar role to that of Jeonju resource recycling network.

The government plans to create four regional resource recycling networks additionally, and extend them to the national level.