Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jung-hun) supported the installation of the 'RFID volume-based machine for food waste' to reduce food waste and improve the environment, and apartment houses and general residential areas wanting installation of the machines will be selected for installation on a first-come, first-served basis.

The 'RFID (radio-frequency identification) volume-based machine for food waste' recognizes an electronic tag that automatically weighs food waste on an electronic scale when the waste is discharged. A fee is then charged based on the volume of the food waste thrown out.

Unlike the existing method of discharge (payments made through sticker purchases) the method of paying fees for the volume of food waste thrown out increases awareness of food waste volume produced in households while reducing amounts of overall waste. The system also solves the inconvenience of foul odors and garbage with the food waste machine that opens only while waste is being thrown out. This also eliminates the headache of having to purchase volume-based food waste bags.

Gangdong-gu will provide 90 RFID volume-based machines, and the machines will be offered to apartment houses with more than 40 households and general residential areas with more than 9 households. The general residential areas must have enough space (2m2) to install the RFID volume-based machine.

Gangdong-gu will provide installation support to residential areas, which will include the installation of the RFID volume-based machine, installation costs, and maintenance and repair costs. Apartment complexes will pay for the processing fee with a 'pay later system' with the fee calculated into the apartment maintenance cost of the following month. General residential areas will use a 'pay in advance system' that will require the use of a district transportation card that can be charged prior to use of the RFID machine.

To apply for the installation of the volume-based machine, ▲apartment houses (with more than 40 households) should prepare a resolution form of the representative resident meeting, copy of the minutes from the meeting, and the application form, and ▲general residential areas (with more than 9 households) should prepare an agreement form of all residents and the application form. The forms must be submitted to the Gangdong-gu Office Cleaning Administration Division (25, Seongnae-ro, Gangdong-gu) via mail or visit.

Gangdong-gu introduced the RFID volume-based machine to apartment houses in 2014 with 654 installations of the machine made at 85 apartment houses (38,348 households) today, and operations of the machines showed about a 30% reduction in the amount of food waste thrown out.

Last November, Gangdong-gu began installing the RFID volume-based machines at general residential areas in addition to apartment houses, and one machine was installed at each of the 10 residential areas (113 households) for operation. Residents who participated in the trial run expressed high satisfaction for the reduction of food waste water and foul odors that are usually produced from use of the existing food waste bags.

Mayor Lee Jung-hun commented, "Results showed that there were actual reductions to food waste produced at apartment houses with the introduction of the RFID volume-based machines, and we hope that many residents of general residential areas will participate in the volume-based machine installation support project to create pleasant living environments."

Gangdong-gu has also promoted various recycling projects like ▲ Gangdong Village Mine, ▲the campaign to reduce disposable plastics at public institutions, ▲the revitalization project for use of shopping baskets at markets, ▲the private-public cooperative ice pack recycling project, ▲the AI unmanned recycling machine 'Nefron,' ▲the visiting resource school, and ▲the permanent Open Garden recycling marketplace.

For more information on district projects, contact the Gangdong-gu Office Cleaning Administration Division (☎02-3425-5880).

<Related Photos>

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  RFID volume-based machines for food waste installed
  at apartment houses and general residential areas in Gangdong-gu

  

  RFID volume-based machines for food waste installed
  at apartment houses and general residential areas in Gangdong-gu