Cheonan City is taking steps to build a virtuous cycle system for paper cartons, aiming to increase collection rates and promote recycling.

The city announced on the 22nd that it has signed a multi-party business agreement with related companies, institutions, and organizations to establish a circular system for paper carton collection and recycling.

This agreement was driven by the desire to create a paper carton collection system through public, private, and institutional collaboration, and then to build a circular system where collected paper cartons are produced into high-quality recycled products and subsequently reused by the original producers.

Eight companies, institutions, and organizations participated in the agreement: Hansol Paper Co., Ltd., Namyang Dairy Products Co., Ltd., Dong-A Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Samyuk Foods, Korea Packaging Recycling Cooperative (KPRC), Korea Circulation Resources Distribution Center (KCDC), and Korea Resource Circulation Industry Certification Institute.

Under the agreement, Cheonan City will promote the creation of paper carton collection points and establish a stable processing system for collection, transportation, and recycling.

The Korea Circulation Resources Distribution Center and the Korea Packaging Recycling Cooperative will support the production and distribution of collection materials for separate paper carton disposal and assist with collection.

Hansol Paper Co., Ltd. will develop high-quality recycled products using the collected and sorted paper cartons, while Namyang Dairy Products Co., Ltd., Dong-A Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Samyuk Foods will contribute to the 'Paper Carton Circular System' by using these recycled products.

The Korea Resource Circulation Industry Certification Institute will establish excellent recycled product (GR) certification standards for the high-quality recycled products developed by Hansol Paper Co., Ltd. and support their acquisition.

Kim Seok-pil, Acting Mayor of Cheonan City, stated, "For the first time in the nation, a local government and private entities are seeking to establish a virtuous cycle system from recycling collection to product development and usage, and even excellent recycled product certification." He added, "We will continue to cooperate closely to boost paper carton collection and recycling rates and contribute to the transition to a circular economy."