In Korea, the recyclables in municipal solid wastes are discharged separately at the source and collected for recycling without charge of treatment cost. Paper, all kinds of polymer, bottles and metals are major components of the recyclables. These recyclables are usually collected and processed for recycling by private companies or public recycling facilities owned by regional governments. Major processes used in recycling facility were screening, compaction, baling etc.
In this study, analyses on overall operation status of the public-owned recycling facilities and suggestions for improvements of these facilities have been made. All analyses have been done using national data generated by Korean government.
The proportion of recyclables managed by public sector was lower than that of the private sector, and the recycling rate of each sectors showed similar trends. These indicated that increasing operational efficiency in public recycling facility was imperative for efficient recycling. It was also found that the operation period of the facilities had no significant relationship with operation efficiency. Thus it was recommended to improve current recycling system instead of constructing a new one. In case of large cities, efficient operation was possible compared to small and medium cities. This meant that the increase in operation efficiency of recycling facilities in small and medium cities was essential for nation-wide improvement of recycling level.
From the analysis of waste disposal rate and utilization rate, it was found that operation of small scale facilities within a proper utilization rate was important. And unit operating costs and sorting rate were improved with an increase in utilization rate within a certain range. In particular, when modernizing or establishing public recycling facilities in small or medium cities, it would be better to build small or medium scale facilities for efficient and cost-effective operation.
Finally, the measures to improve public screening facilities and the overall recycling can be summarized as the following three ways. First, improvements should be initiated by analyzing data and current status within recycling sorting facilities. Second, expansion and modernization of public sorting facilities are necessary. Third, the data that underlie all of these processes must be clearly identified and managed. These three measures must be pursued together.