Shin Sang-jin, the mayor of Seongnam, is accelerating efforts to establish a stable waste management system directly impacting citizens' lives.
The mayor has set a plan to construct a new incineration facility to replace the aging incinerator in Sangdaewon-dong by February 2028.
This project responds to the ban on direct landfill disposal of municipal waste in the metropolitan area and aims to secure a reliable waste management system as the importance of proper waste disposal continues to grow.
Mayor Shin is focusing on modernizing outdated environmental infrastructure and creating a pleasant urban environment that citizens can experience firsthand.
The construction of the new incineration facility in Sangdaewon-dong is part of this key environmental policy initiative.
The new facility will be built on a 6,500-square-meter site next to the existing incinerator, which is part of a larger environmental energy facility covering over 76,000 square meters. It will have the capacity to process 500 tons of municipal waste daily.
Construction began in August 2024, and the project is currently 36% complete. If the work proceeds as planned, it is expected to replace the existing incinerator, which has been in operation since 1998.
The current facility has been processing 600 tons of municipal waste daily, but the aging infrastructure has increased the need for a new processing facility.
Since the ban on direct landfill disposal of municipal waste took effect in January of this year, establishing an appropriate waste management system through incineration and recycling has become a critical task for local governments.
Mayor Shin aims to respond to changing waste management conditions through the new incineration facility, ensuring a stable system for processing the municipal waste generated by residents.
The plan includes building a stable administrative foundation in the environmental sector, closely tied to citizens' lives, and modernizing outdated facilities to create a more pleasant urban environment.
Efforts are also underway to minimize residents' concerns during the construction of the incineration facility and to enhance community acceptance.
Last August, Mayor Shin signed an agreement with a resident support committee near the incinerator and established a support fund for over 500 households within a 300-meter radius of the facility to address indirect impacts.
The mayor's environmental policy focuses not only on expanding facilities but also on modernizing outdated infrastructure, ensuring stable waste management, and promoting communication and cooperation with residents.
Residents emphasize the need to minimize inconveniences such as odors, air pollution, and traffic disruptions that may arise during the construction and operation of the incineration facility, while strictly adhering to environmental management standards.
They also stress the importance of listening to residents' opinions during the construction process and ensuring that the support fund effectively benefits those living in the indirect impact zone.
Mayor Shin stated, "With the ban on direct landfill disposal of municipal waste in the metropolitan area, securing an appropriate waste management system through incineration and recycling has become crucial," adding, "We will proceed with the construction of the replacement incineration facility without delay based on resident consultations."
Meanwhile, Mayor Shin plans to focus on managing the construction process to ensure the new incineration facility is completed on schedule by February 2028 while continuing discussions with residents.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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