Debris washed down to the Geum River estuary by heavy rain
HONGSEONG, Oct. 16 (Korea Bizwire) — South Chungcheong Province will build an eco-friendly recycling facility in Seocheon to convert massive amounts of driftwood and debris washed down the Geum River each summer into renewable wood pellets, officials said Thursday.
The new center, to be located in the Janghang National Ecological Industrial Complex, aims to establish a regional resource circulation system by turning recurring marine waste into usable energy.
Each year, an estimated 3,500 tons of debris — including uprooted trees, discarded fishing gear, and household waste — flow into the sea off the coasts of Seocheon and nearby Gunsan during the monsoon season.
Provincial research shows that about 80 percent of this waste consists of wood, swept away by floods or landslides. The debris poses serious hazards to vessels and has traditionally been incinerated by private contractors at a cost of 550,000 won (US$388) per ton.
To address both environmental and fiscal concerns, the province plans to separate and process the wood into biomass fuel. Once completed, the new facility will handle up to 15 tons of wood waste per day, or more than 3,500 tons annually.
Wood Pellets
The resulting pellets will be sold to Korea Midland Power Co., generating about 500 million won in annual revenue, part of which will fund local welfare and community development projects.
Wood pellets are considered a leading form of renewable energy capable of replacing fossil fuels. The province is currently seeking Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) accreditation to stabilize future sales and expand transactions with power companies.
The 6 billion won (US$4.2 million) project — jointly funded by the central and provincial governments — is slated for completion by late 2027, with full-scale operations expected to begin in early 2028.
“Once operational, the center will not only tackle marine waste at its source but also promote recycling and boost local income,” said Ryu Kwang-ha, head of the provincial environmental management division.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
