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Waste Management: International lessons

The Korean waste management system

Student name: Sejun Lee

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Executive Summary

This report discuss that the Korean government operate waste management. It begins by

comparing between other OECD countries and the Korea. The Korean waste management

such as landfill, municipal waste generation has decreased. However, recycling amount has

increased steadily in the late 10 years. It then analyses that organisation of the Korean

environment department. President is leader and other specific CEO (Chief Executive

Officer) follows the president. They have some efficient waste management system such as

RFID, chip and standard plastic garbage bag. There are remarkable strengths that they

could reduce waste amount and create new job. Moreover, the government can earn tax.

However, there are also some weaknesses that some system could make disbelief between

local government and local people. The main conclusion is that the Korean waste

management system has more benefits than disadvantages, so any countries can learn the

efficient waste management system.

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It is accepted that atmospheric and water pollution has increased with the rapid

advancement of economic growth. Significant numbers of people believe that the economy

could be grown without damaging the environment. Some people claim that economics and

environment symbiosis is real in the world. According to Beckerman (1992) one method to

sustain our pleasant environment is that we should be richer. Kuznets curve explains why

we need to improve our economy. Simon Kuznets (1981) pointed out that “The EKC

proposes that indicators of environmental degradation first rise, and then fall with increasing

income per capita”. However, figure 1 show that our environment cannot follow our growth of

economy. Hence, the debates regarding climate change.

Dinda, S. Ecological Economics Pages 431–455 and the Rise and Fall of the Environmental Kuznets Curve: Stern D, I P.1247

Figure.1

Previously a large amount of people did not consider this to be a serious problem, but laterly

their consideration has steadily increased. It is a reasonable fact that there is considerable

damage from pollution creating climate change. A lot of economist analyse environment

condition and improvement, so that scare resource can be allocated efficiently in line with

environment conservation. If not then additional costs will be incurred in the long-term to the

environment.

The republic of Korea was selected to host the Green Climate Fund in 2012. A many

countries are interested in Korea’s waste management achievements. For example, in

Birmingham, RWM 2009 (Recycling &Waste Management), the British governor said that the

Korean waste management is more developed than the British waste management system,

even though the UK is a more developed country. These are short briefings about the UK

waste management. In 1947, after enacting The Town and County Act, they just discarded

the waste where people couldn’t see it. As a result, the UK government ordered landfill for

their waste to be stored (Cullingworth 2006). However, the importance of sustainable growth

has increased the UK government tax landfill fee through The Finance Act in 1996 (Morris

1998). Nowadays, per person of landfill fee is 40 pounds. It continually increases, so

government want to find new methods to discard their waste. A few years ago, they found

alternative method that is (MBT) Mechanical Biological Treatment (Velis 2009). After

introducing MBT in Manchester, the city people can reduce reclamation fee from 2 pound to

1 pound. Recycling or using by compost rate has increased between 4~5 times

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(approximately 35%), comparing to 2000. Recycling rate is still at the primary stage. This

report will analyse the Korean waste management achievements in order to obtain

information and recommendations for the UK Ministers, to adapt for the UK system.

1. How is the Waste Management sector in your country performing?

There are a series of historical databases from the OECD from 1990 to 2009 (2010). Non-

OECD countries do not have correct databases, because they still do not have reasonable

infrastructures. Figure 2 shows the generations of 15 countries municipal waste from 1990

to 2009. The UK and Korea have similar amounts of population. However, the UK curve is

upward sloping and Korea curve is downward sloping. There is a majority gap of

approximately 15,000 thousand ton.

Municipal waste generation from 1990 to 2009

Figure.2

Municipal waste generation Kg per capita, 2009 or latest available year

OECD FACTBOOK 2011 © OECD 2011 Figure, 3

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This chart (figure.3) explains how much waste in produced per person in 2009. This is a

better indicator as it is adjusted for different population size. There are also gaps between

the red column which is Korea and UK the yellow column. British people generate waste

approximately 100kg more than Korean people. Luxembourg and Denmark are smaller

countries and have less population have significant higher figures. In fact they make double

the waste than Korea.

Figure.4 (OECD 2011)

This recycling chart (figure.4) shows that significant number of countries have increased

their recycling. This chart is quite a clear indicator of these changes. The UK, Germany,

Korea and Japan have increased dramatically over the last 20 years. The Korean GDP is

less than the other countries; they desire to keep continuing the reduction of waste. The

government continually improve and invest in recycling systems. This was a considerable

factor that helped Korea host the Green Climate Fund institution instead of Germany. If

recycling increased steadily, environmental waste will be decreased in long term

Landfill figure.5 (OECD 2011)

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The line graph (figure.5) indicate that Korea`s landfill has decreased steadily in the last 20

years. The Korean land is quite small and there are a lot of mountains, so there is not

enough space for landfills. An additional reason was that the Korean people recognized that

if the government’s landfills waste was near them, it would extremely impact on their health,

because there are a lot of harmful materials. Smith (2012) pointed out “Uncontrolled landfill

disposal can cause the release of significant contamination”. As result they frequently

demonstrated against the Korean government.

Next step will be discussed that small land country overcomes to deal with waste. The UK

figures also have reduced untiringly in the same period. The bar char (figure6)t below shows

that in 2009, many countries show quite small figures compared to United States. Hong

(1999) pointed out If countries reduce a landfill, they will prevent solid pollution

Figure 6 (OECD 2011)

Incineration figure 7 (OECD 2011)

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This line graph (figure.7) indicates incineration use from 1990 to 2010. Considerable number

of companies has increased incineration in the last 20 year. Especially, Germany has quite

high figure. The country has a high technological incinerator, so they could burn their waste

effectively without air pollution.

The chart below show details of the Korean waste generation from 1998 to 2009.

Construction industrial waste has increased dramatically in the last 10 year. This means that

the Korean construction industry has developed.

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This chart clearly show the Korean government`s eco-friendly waste management system.

2. How is the Waste Management system managed?

The Korean environment department which is semi privatized is ran by the president. There

is also a Minster for the environment department, but the Minsters position is very similar to

a CEO (chief executive officer). As shown there are several departments each with its own

CEO. Other departments have no influence over the environment department. This structure

ensures significant result. In addition, the general auditor is the director of public prosecution.

The three powers (of administration, legislation and judicature) are applied for the

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environment. According to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, Clause 35, Article 1 of

the rights to protect the environment indicates the Korean environment normative law. This

means that the Korean government must guarantee to put health and clean environmental

issue as top priority for the Korean people. Secondly, the government must protect people

from damage of natural environment and living environment. Finally, the government must

save people from damage of occurrence of environment infringement. The main point is

which the Korean government want to reduce amount which create new product.

The Korean government want to further improve their waste management system. The

government made short-term plan and long-term plans for the waste management.

The Korean Minster (2011) pointed out “the 1st Master Plan for Resource Recirculation is an

integration and expansion of the previous master plan on recycling”. In the same plan,

considerable improving plans and essential policy tasks will be considered that it is advance

of new key for the upgrading of resource recirculation in 2015, shift to a social structure of

resource recirculation, realization of value-increasing type of resource recirculation (4R:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover).

The 3rd Comprehensive Plan for National Waste Management (2011~2020) founded on the

Waste Control Act will be instituted from the master plan for each city and province. Thus,

they pay attention on developing the organisation for waste management system of local

government.

There are 144 local governments that divided the performing of waste management. They

operate the volume based waste fee system which the installation of collection system that

use radio frequency identification (RFID). Moreover, the Korean government encourage an

up-cycling (enhanced value of recycling) by changing the focus on recycling waste

management from quantity to quality.

RFID Chip or sticker standard plastic garbage bag

The first, picture shows that it is RFID. It is similar to the Oyster Card system in the UK. The

Korean people would need to purchase a card to open the dustbin. This card includes

household information and they will be charged collection fees pertaining to different weights

of recycling products. The recycling dustbin is free. This RFID system is annoying some

people. The second picture shows the Chip or sticker devise. Households must buy the chip

or sticker devise, which is then attached to the dustbin. It is similar to the post office system

(prepayment). Dustmen check the devise by machine, and then they collect waste. The final

picture shows a standard plastic garbage bag, which the Korean people must put, their

waste into, paying particular attention not to include recyclable waste. If anyone put waste in

normal plastic bag similar to Tesco, Sainsbury plastic bag, they will be paid a fine

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(approximately £100). These three methods make people want to reduce waste and weight.

At first, the Korean people were unhappy about the strict laws, so the government made a

green card which you can get point for the reduction in the amount of water, gas and

electricity that is used, In addition, green consumption points, when green product are

purchased. The illustration below shows how they can save and earn credit. This

significantly influenced a successful waste management system.

The last waste management system is disposal of waste materials. Products that are sent

for recycling are divided into different categories and sent to different factories for disposal.

The other method is incineration, which burns a mixture of waste. The final method is the

landfill, even though there aren’t that many of them any more. They also divide waste into

shatter or compression categories. The Korean government struggle to reduce landfill and

incineration.

3. What lessons can be learned from Waste Management provision in your chosen country?

Every system has advantage and disadvantage about own operating. First there are

considerable benefits on recycling. They could financially benefit from recycling. According

to United Nations Environment Programme (2011) said about success story that by recycling

the items, instead of land filling or incinerating, CO2 emissions have been decreased

annually by an average of 126,000 tons for four years. Over 70,000 tons of recycling

products such as plastic were recycled. Furthermore, in a period of four years the system

created 3,380 new jobs. Recycling products has increased, and so their financial benefits

and new jobs also have increased. This is the aim and reason why the Korean government

wants to increase recycling.

Benefits of recycling Diagram

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Benefit of recycling chart

Other waste management is radio frequency identification which significantly reduces waste

amount. The Ministry of Environment (2011) said "The amount of waste that will be reduced

through RFID bins will eventually eliminate 420,000 tons of greenhouse gases and over 160

billion won (92 million pound) in waste disposal costs a year." This is a considerable

outcome. However, there are other problems. If household lost card or move on other house

in other city, local government should issue new card. This will be spent extra budget. In

addition, there also seems to be disbelief between the governments and the Korean people

and the RFID card which include personal information, as it would infringed on a person’s

privacy. The maintenance fee also would be a problem for operating RFID system.

Chip or sticker is another waste management system which would be adapted. This

management is significant benefit from reducing waste. In addition, the government also can

increase taxation. The Go of CEO waste management environment pointed out the waste

management chip can help to reduce approximately 20~35% of waste. Namely, the

government get a benefit which increasing tax with reducing waste and managing waste fee.

However, waste collection day is two times per week. A lot of people claim about frequency

to collect waste. Furthermore, sometimes the chip or sticker could be destroyed, so there are

majority of trouble between waste collector and household. For the UK government, it is not

high initial cost. However, the government need a method to fine for reducing people`s

complain.

Standard plastic garbage bag has benefit which people reduce their waste. There are

different sizes such as 3 Kg, 5 Kg, 10 Kg, and 15 Kg. The people can select bag. It is similar

to Chip or sticker waste management. However, there are more problems than chip

management. First of all, majority of people still legally throw away their waste. According to

Go CEO pointed out that because of habitual violator, there is still 10% of reducing waste

rate. If neighbourhood call police or complain to them, they solely have said an evasive

answer, so they have installed CCTV (closed-circuit television) near rubbish tip. Disbelief will

be increased between neighbourhoods. Another problem is that people put excess amount

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of waste in bag. According to the Korean statistic research department claimed that it is

quite difficult to gather static information about amount of waste from the volume-rate

garbage disposal management.

Finally, there is Green Card for supporting waste management. This card has considerable

benefits which save money, energy. People want to collect point for spending to buy chip or

charging RFID credit. This card still does not make any disadvantages.

In Conclusion, there are benefits which protecting environment and saving money. However,

there are also problems which appearing inconvenience and high installation cost. The UK

Minister could learn experience of the waste management system for similar land size and

population. The Korean people are living in the same land for over 5000years, so they have

mind which they must leave pleasant environment for the next generation.

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