Improvement Measures through Analysis of the Collection System of Recyclable Resources Discharged from Apartment Houses in Korea

To improve recyclable waste collection system, this study conducted a survey of 123 apartments complexes and 229 local governments and suggested the measures to improve the current collection system based on the results of the survey. The survey revealed that respondents preferred public intervention collection. Currently, 80% of apartment complexes input the results of recyclable resources into the circular resource information center, but private collection companies are required to directly input them to simplify the administrative system of local governments. Most apartment complexes choose private collection companies based on down payment, which is likely to result in excessive competition. 97% of apartment complexes that implement the price linkage system set a one-year cycle, indicating that the effectiveness of the price linkage system is poor and measures to improve it are necessary. The public collection ratio of local governments was found to be 100% for detached houses, 48% for obligatory apartment, and 83% for non-obligatory apartment. The mixed collection ratio of detached houses and multi-use facilities is 50%, which is higher than the mixed collection ratio of apartment houses (38%), which is expected to reduce the effectiveness of the recycling system. Hence, it is necessary to establish a collection system based on the source. To establish public responsibility collection, it is necessary to strengthen the standards and the price linkage system for collection companies. To reduce the administrative burden of local governments, it is necessary to manage apartment at a regional level or to entrust local government work.