40% of Seoul Citizens Favor Sending Waste to Other Regions Amidst Incinerator Debate

The Hankyoreh reports on the challenges Seoul faces in managing its waste following the January ban on direct landfilling in the 수도권 (Seoul Metropolitan Area). A recent public opinion survey indicates a significant portion of Seoul citizens (40%) believe their waste should be transported to other regions for disposal, highlighting a complex and contentious issue.

While a majority of Seoul residents (64.3%) express support for building more incineration facilities within the city, the survey reveals a near-even split regarding the preferred disposal method: 39.3% favor handling waste within Seoul, while 39.1% prefer using private incinerators in other regions, even if it incurs costs. This division underscores the difficulty in finding a locally acceptable solution, as NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) sentiments often arise when specific locations are considered.

The article points out that Seoul currently generates 3,000 tons of waste daily, with only 2,000 tons processed within the city, forcing the remaining 1,000 tons to be sent to other municipalities. Efforts to build new public incinerators in Seoul have faced significant local opposition and legal challenges, leading to project cancellations. This situation is mirrored in other regions, such as Chungbuk, which already handles a portion of the metropolitan area's waste and expresses strong negative sentiment towards accepting more.

From a South Korean perspective, waste management is a critical environmental and social issue, particularly concerning the equitable distribution of burdens between the capital region and other provinces. The '지산지소' (jisan-jiso) principle, meaning waste should be processed where it is generated, is often cited as an ideal. However, the reality involves complex negotiations and potential inter-regional conflicts. The central government's initiative to provide support for public incinerator construction reflects an attempt to find a national solution, but local acceptance remains a significant hurdle. The upcoming deadline of 2030 for a complete ban on landfilling nationwide adds urgency to these efforts.

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The basic principle is 'jisan-jiso' (waste processed where it is generated). The next administration's task is not just to build one incinerator, but to create an independent circular system that processes our neighborhood's waste by itself by 2030, when landfilling nationwide is completely banned.