Seoul to add over 2,500 public trash bins by 2025

A pedestrian passes by a public trash bin in Seoul on Thursday. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to increase the number of trash cans in Seoul from the current 4,956 to 7,500 by 2025. [NEWS1]

Over 2,500 trash bins will be installed in Seoul over the next three years to make daily life more convenient for Seoulites.

According to the city government Sunday, one thousand new trash bins will be added to the city every year through 2025. From the current 4,956, the number will increase to 5,500 by this year, 6,500 in 2024 and 7,500 in 2025.

The latest plan comes in response to people's complaints regarding the city's lack of trash bins on the streets.

According to a survey conducted by the metropolitan government’s climate and environment headquarters, over 70 percent of the 3,112 respondents said that the capital lacks trash bins, while only 25.2 percent said the number is sufficient. A mere 1.5 percent responded that the city has plenty of trash cans.

The city government said it took the survey result into account, ultimately deciding to shift away from its previous stance on reducing the number of trash cans on the streets due to people throwing away household trash in public trash bins.

District offices in Seoul have also been removing trash bins on the streets believing they harm the city landscape.

In 1995, the capital had a total of 7,607 trash bins, which were then reduced every year.

The number gradually decreased from January 1995 when the city first adopted the pay-as-you-throw system, in which people are required to purchase standard plastic garbage bags to dispose of general and food waste.

These bags are pricier than normal plastic bags and are specific to each district where the person disposes of the waste.

According to the city government, the latest initiative was also partly brought on by the complaints filed by foreigners and tourists.

Around 28 percent of the respondents who visited Seoul in 2019 said the city lacks convenient facilities for tourists. Some 30 percent of those who said the capital needs more amenities said that the streets are dirty because there are not enough trash bins on the streets.

The current 72 million won ($53,000) budget allocated for trash bin installation this year is expected to double next year.

“Where these trash bins will be installed will be decided by each district office,” an official at the city government said.

“We plan to first install around 7,500 trash bins by 2025 and monitor whether more of them are needed in the city.”

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]