To recycle or not to recycle?

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To recycle or not to recycle?

The following is a tip on traditional Korean language and customs in response to a query from a Mr. Warner, who wrote to us from Seoul:

Q. Mr. Warner:
Ever since I was warned by a Korean neighbor, I’ve been sorting plastic, paper, bottles and food garbage into separate containers. One day I stood by and watched as trash bags from our neighborhood were tossed unopened into a garbage truck. The trash wasn’t being recycled at all. Why does Korea promote recycling and then not do it?

A. IHT-JAD:
Since 1992, the Korean government has campaigned for recycling, and in varying degrees Koreans have adopted a habit of recycling their garbage.

A spokesman at the Waste Treatment Administration Division at Junggu District Office says that despite the ongoing campaign, anywhere from 20 to 30 percent of recyclable trash bags are still mixed in with nonrecyclable garbage.

These collected trash bags are separated by hand at the community level, which is costly, and sold to companies specializing in recycling, before being transported to the city’s garbage treatment plant.
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