Editorial Let's Consider "Placing Public Trash Bags" for Suwon's Year of Visitation

As complaints grow about the difficulty of finding places to dispose of trash in urban areas and tourist destinations, there are rising calls to reinstall public trash bins.

When the garbage fee system began in 1995, most public trash bins across the country disappeared. This was largely because some inconsiderate people, trying to save a few hundred won on garbage bags, greatly increased the illegal dumping of household waste. Concerns about damage to the aesthetics of city streets were also among the reasons.

As public trash bins vanished from urban areas and tourist destinations, citizens and visitors are complaining of inconvenience. The installation of public trash bins can actually be installed autonomously according to the judgment of local governments. However, local governments are reluctant to install them, citing difficulty in management.

The "Guidelines for Implementing Garbage Fee System" prepared by the Ministry of Environment specifies that local governments should consider floating populations and residents' convenience, and install street trash bins in areas where tissues and cigarette butts are judged to be discarded frequently, such as bus or taxi stops and parks. However, it also specifies that adjustments can be made to suit local government circumstances as a proviso. In reality, local governments can choose not to install them depending on their situation.

However, in response to continuing complaints from citizens and visitors about inconvenience, some local governments are reintroducing public trash bins. Seoul has increased the number of trash bins every year since 2013. Currently, thousands of public trash bins are installed in crowded gathering places and tourist districts where citizens and foreign tourists frequently visit in Seoul's Jongno-gu, Jung-gu, and Dongdaemun-gu districts. Additionally, in cooperation with KT&G, Seoul decided to expand cigarette butt collection boxes. Seoul's decision was likely also influenced by the judgment that citizens' awareness has changed considerably over time.

Opinions are divided on whether to install public trash bins on city streets and tourist sites. According to a survey conducted by the Daejeon-Sejong Research Institute, there was approximately 40% more trash in places without bins than in places with bins.

However, indiscriminately increasing public trash bins without proper management plans or system development could actually damage street aesthetics, and concerns about the costs and manpower required to maintain and manage public trash bins are also understandable considerations.

While we understand the concerns about side effects and difficulties, it would be good to trust citizens' awareness and try implementing it even as a pilot project first. If it's difficult to install trash bins, why not place public trash bags near Suwon Station where many visitors arrive, in Haenggung-dong, and throughout Hwaseong, a World Heritage site.