Paju City is addressing the "bag crisis" by increasing pay-as-you-throw waste bag supply by 137% and expanding delivery personnel more than threefold.
Paju City announced Thursday that the supply of pay-as-you-throw waste bags is stabilizing rapidly. The so-called "waste bag crisis" occurred in late March when public anxiety spread due to resource supply disruptions caused by Middle East tensions.
The city immediately moved to expand supply. Daily supply volume, which had averaged 76,000 bags, was increased by 43% to 109,000 bags. In the first week of April, this was further expanded to 148,000 bags. Starting April 11, the city will transition to a system supplying 180,000 bags daily. This represents a 137% increase from the original volume, with two additional bag manufacturers secured.
The delivery system is also being completely overhauled. The existing day-of-week delivery schedule will be changed to same-day rapid delivery. The city plans to prioritize supply to sales outlets experiencing high purchase demand to clear the backlog.
Paju Urban Corporation has increased delivery personnel by 233%, from 6 to 20 workers. Vehicles have also been expanded from 3 to 7. Weekend deliveries and an emergency response team will minimize supply gaps.
"The number of complaints is decreasing due to expanded supply and improved delivery systems," a Paju City official said. "We will ensure rapid supply to sales outlets running short on waste bags so that citizens do not experience inconvenience."