Free EOL Home Appliance Pickup Service Sees 40 Percent Increase in Usage

The MOE expects to collect more than 500,000 pieces or 23,000 tons of disposed home appliances this year. (image: Ministry of Environment)

SEJONG, May 4 (Korea Bizwire) — As the Ministry of Environment (MOE) has expanded its free pickup service for the disposal of home appliances, use of the service increased by 40 percent compared to February.

In March, the ministry broadened the scope of the program by amending its guidelines to include small and medium sized appliances in addition to larger ones.

According to the ministry, 4,200 appliances were picked up through the service in February, while 5,900 appliances were picked up in March.

The MOE expects to collect more than 500,000 pieces or 23,000 tons of disposed home appliances this year.

The economic spin-offs related to such an amount are estimated to reach 80 billion won (US$ 73.9 million).

In June, the ministry will launch a new service to repair discarded appliances and prepare them for re-use.

On Korean islands where the free pickup program was operating as a pilot project, the service will be normalized.

Citizens can make reservations for the service by phone or Internet.

According to a survey conducted by the MOE on 20,000 citizens who have already taken advantage of the program, 99.8 percent answered that they were content with the free pickup service.

By J. W. Choi (summerchoi@koreabizwire.com)