Myeongdong, one of Seoul’s most famous tourist spots and shopping districts that is visited by more than 100,000 people daily, sees 30 tons of trash every day, most of which is thrown on the ground. It has often been pointed out that the number of trash bins is completely disproportionate to the number of visitors to the area. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb.24 (Korea Bizwire) – Myeongdong, one of Seoul’s most famous tourist spots and shopping districts that is visited by more than 100,000 people daily, sees 30 tons of trash every day, most of which is thrown on the ground. It has often been pointed out that the number of trash bins is completely disproportionate to the number of visitors to the area.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has set plans to control the flow of garbage in Myeongdong.
Firstly, in order to solve the problem of people throwing away trash randomly, six additional trash bins will be installed. The number of trash cans will increase to 22 units in 12 locations, up from the current 16 units installed in eight locations.
The amount of randomly thrown away trash actually decreased after an additional trash bin was installed in front of the Woori Bank branch in Myeongdong, which is on one of the most crowded streets in the area.
More trash bins will be installed on streets with significant human traffic after discussions with the street shop association.
Secondly, manpower to clean the area has been increased. The ‘365 Cleaning Squad’ consists of eight employees who started work in January, and are tasked with filling in blank hours when cleaners do not work.
The 365 Cleaning Squad will work from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., when the most complaints about trash occur. An additional six cleaners will be added to the squad from March.
The system of trash disposal will also be improved.
Visitors often throw their trash into volume-rate garbage bags taken out from the stores after they closed, thinking that they are trash bins.
The local government established new rules requiring workers in the area to take out trash after 10 p.m., and set new pick-up locations. Signs indicating that the new locations are ‘temporary garbage storage’ will be set up.
Finally, an illegal trash disposal control squad (eight people) will crack down on those disposing of trash in an illegal manner between the hours of 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
