Three new unmanned collection units added to existing four, bringing total to seven locations across the district; each label-free transparent PET bottle earns 10 points (won), delivering both environmental and financial rewards
Jongno-gu has significantly expanded its network of unmanned AI-powered transparent PET bottle collection machines to boost the recovery rate of high-quality recyclable materials and encourage residents to practice carbon neutrality in their daily lives, district mayor Jung Mun-heon said.
Transparent PET bottles are a high-value circular resource that can be repurposed into fiber and textile materials, but when mixed with general recyclables they become contaminated and lose much of their recycling value.
To address the problem, Jongno-gu has taken the lead in deploying AI-based unmanned collection machines, making it easy for any resident to participate in proper waste sorting as part of their daily routine.
To use the machines, residents empty a transparent PET bottle, remove its label and insert it into the unit. An AI sensor automatically identifies whether the item is a PET bottle, then compresses and collects it.
Ten points (won) are credited automatically per bottle. Once a user accumulates more than 2,000 points, the balance can be withdrawn as cash through a dedicated app. The system is expected to deliver a dual benefit — protecting the environment while also supplementing household income.
The expansion brings the number of operating locations from four to seven. On top of the existing sites — the Olympic Memorial National Lifestyle Center (Hyehwa-dong), Gyonam-dong Community Service Center, Buam-dong Community Service Center and Sungin 2-dong Community Service Center — three new units have been installed at locations chosen for their accessibility and foot traffic: the Jongno Senior Welfare Center (Ihwa-dong), Cheongun-hyoja-dong Community Service Center and Gaehoe-dong Community Service Center.
The district also plans to run on-site promotions and campaigns alongside the expanded machine network to increase the volume of high-quality PET bottles collected and raise residents' awareness of resource circulation.
"This expansion is a meaningful opportunity for residents to experience the value of resource circulation firsthand in their daily lives and receive rewards for doing so," district mayor Jung said. "We ask for your active participation so that we can build Jongno into a self-sufficient resource-recycling city and accelerate our path to carbon neutrality."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
