Incheon targets 8% household waste reduction by 2030

Incheon Metropolitan City has announced a new evaluation system for its 11 districts and counties to monitor and encourage the reduction of household waste. This initiative aims to achieve a zero-direct landfill goal and establish a sustainable resource circulation city.

The city has set a target to reduce household waste generation by 8% by 2030 compared to 2025 levels. Specifically, the city plans to decrease the annual waste volume from 332,642 tons to 306,031 tons.

The evaluation, covering performance from January to August of this year, will utilize both quantitative and qualitative metrics. Quantitative assessment will focus on waste reduction ratios, adjusted for population changes to ensure fairness. Qualitative assessment will review policy implementation efforts, such as the establishment of comprehensive reduction plans, and the effectiveness of public promotion and creative best practices.

To incentivize participation, Incheon plans to recommend one top-performing local government for a commendation from the Minister of Environment. Additionally, the city intends to provide municipal funding—totaling 650 million won this year—to support ongoing reduction projects and encourage the spread of successful waste management models.