Local communities have stepped up to urge countermeasures regarding the automated waste collection facility in Incheon's Yeongjong district, which has remained non-operational for over 11 years despite an investment of 153 billion won in total project costs.

The Incheon Civil Society Organizations Network and the Yeongjong International City General Federation held a press conference at Incheon City Hall today (September 14), urging authorities to "audit the entire process of the Yeongjong household waste automated collection facility, known as 'CleanNet'."

They added, "A facility built with massive public funds has failed to operate for over 11 years," and emphasized that "if policy misjudgments or serious administrative negligence are confirmed, those responsible must be strictly held accountable."

Completed in December 2014 in Yeongjong Sky City with a total project cost of 153 billion won, Yeongjong CleanNet is a general and food waste transport facility equipped with 70.4 kilometers of underground pipelines and four collection stations.

Designed so that residents throw trash into nearby inlets from which it is transported through underground pipes to a collection station to be compressed and stored, similar facilities are also operational in other Incheon Free Economic Zones (IFEZ) such as Songdo and Cheongna.

However, as related organizations delayed taking over the facility out of concern over heavy operational cost burdens caused by frequent breakdowns, Yeongjong CleanNet has been left abandoned ever since its completion, with traditional waste collection vehicles continuing to be deployed on-site.

According to a CleanNet transfer agreement reached in October 2023, the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) was scheduled to hand over the facilities to Yeongjong district (formerly Jung-gu) after carrying out repairs on the aging facilities and test operations, but the related procedures have been prolonged.

Residents demanded that authorities consider suspending the mandatory installation of CleanNet for new buildings until the feasibility of its normal operation, as well as its environmental and economic viability, are verified.

The Incheon Civil Society Organizations Network argued, "Instead of continuing to pass the buck while worrying about sunk costs, we must keep all possibilities open, including the complete scrapping of CleanNet," adding, "There is a need to transparently disclose the results of the facility's detailed diagnosis and expected repair costs, followed by a public deliberation process involving residents and environmental experts."
 
(Photo provided by Incheon Civil Society Organizations Network, Yonhap News)