Gov't leads in recycling vending machines, large drinks coolers
By Ko Dong-hwan
Government and beverage makers in Korea have agreed to make the most of old vending machines and large drinks coolers through better recycling. GETTYIMAGEBANK
Korea's major beverage makers and the central government agreed Friday to establish a system to better recycle large drink vending machines and coolers.
The deal aims to collect and efficiently recycle parts from the machines ― targeting refrigerants, lead and mercury ― to reduce environmental harm.
The agreement involves the Ministry of Environment, the Korea Environment Corporation, the Korea Electronics Recycling Cooperative and domestic beverage makers DongA Otsuka, Lotte Chilsung and the Coca-Cola Beverage Company.
Lee Yong-ki, from the ministry's Resources Circulation Policy Division, said there is a “significance that government, beverage manufacturers and the electronics recycling cooperative finally agreed to a partnership to efficiently collect old, large-size beverage coolers and showcases.”
“This agreement will demonstrate how disposed electronics and electric machines from business sites can be collected for efficient use of resources and contribution to resources circulation,” Lee said.
The agreement obligates beverage manufacturers to provide support in loading the machines onto trucks and delivering them safely.
The electronics recycling cooperative agreed to cover all the costs of collecting, moving and handover and to maximize the recycling of parts and safely to collect and dispose of refrigerants.
The ministry and the environment corporation are supporting the agreement with the necessary regulations, legal revisions and currently active Eco-Assurance System of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles (EcoAS) to encourage engagement from stakeholders nationwide.
The agreement comes as some 3,000 tons of such machines are scrapped annually in the country. Metal parts from the machines, including steel, also will be recycled.