Recyclable materials can be exchanged for the products from the factories that need to reuse the materials. (image: Choson Sinbo)
SEOUL, June 1 (Korea Bizwire) — As a way to break through its cycle of economic hardship, North Korea is rolling out a variety of recycling policies.
Among them, the most eye-catching policy is the promotion of the exchange of recyclable waste materials like empty bottles for daily necessities.
The Choson Sinbo, the official mouthpiece of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, reported on Saturday that an interesting recycling program is underway across North Korea.
In an article titled “Normalizing production at factories, while bringing more convenience to the life of the public,” the newspaper said that this program is aimed at promoting the collection and recycling of idle resources.
Under this program, North Koreans bring recyclable waste materials such as paper, vinyl, and glass to the buying branches of the daily necessity stores in their residential areas.
Such recyclable materials can be exchanged for the products from the factories that need to reuse the materials.
Among the products offered in return for recyclable materials are shoes, notebooks, wallpaper, buckets, snacks and soft drinks.
A variety of factories in North Korea, including the Pyongyang Beer Factory and the Pyongyang Paper Factory, reuse the materials they get through this program to promote new production activities.
The buying branches of the daily necessity stores are not new in North Korea. The practice has long existed in many places but has been ignored by local residents since the waste purchase price was too low.
Ideological education was not enough to ensure smooth collection of recyclable waste materials. Against this backdrop, North Korea appears to have come up with a new incentive – exchanging recyclables for daily necessities.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
