A Study on the Volume-Based Waste Charging System in South Korea

Jung-Han Park*+, Susumu Tohno*, Mikio Kasahara* and Yi Pyongin**
* Energy and Environment, Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University
*+ Ministry of Science & Technology, Korea
** Department of Environmental Engineering, Miryang National University, Korea
+ Correspondence should be addressed to Jung-Han Park:
Energy and Environment, Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University
(Gokasho, Uji-city, Kyoto, 611-0011 Japan)

Abstract
As South Korean society continues to develop, its population is also increasing at a rapid pace while the standard of living is rising gradually. This trend has resulted in a sharp increment in the amount of garbage being disposed of. A growing amount of garbage has been one of the most serious environmental problems in South Korea. For several years, the South Korean government has been investing large amounts of money into the establishment of a waste management system. In 1995, the volume-based waste charging system was finally adopted as a national waste policy. In this paper, present conditions in South Korea are introduced with regard to the adoption of this volume-based waste charging system being one method of putting a cost on garbage output. Some other factors, such as the amount of municipal solid waste and the consciousness of residents before and after the system was put into place, are also discussed. Finally, several suggestions for improving the system have been presented, after examining the system's strength and weaknesses.

Key words: waste, volume-based waste charging system, charging system for garbage disposal, municipal solid waste, consciousness of residents(public awareness)