Innovations for Plastic Circularity in Korea: Enabling Conditions and Solutions Supplementary Note for Scaling Innovations for Plastic Circularity with Investment in ASEAN Disclaimer This work is a product of staff at The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data included in this work and does not assume responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Nothing herein shall constitute or be construed or considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved. Acknowledgements The supplementary note is developed by Junu Shrestha (Senior Environmental Specialist), Yoon Ju Heo (Senior Environmental Consultant) and Hyunji Roh (Environmental Consultant). The team is thankful to the Korean private and public entities for their valuable contributions to the preparation of this document. Photos: Unless otherwise indicated, photos were taken/provided by the study team. Design: Sarah Jene Hollis, World Bank Group Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms....................................................................................................... 4 Glossary ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 1. Background................................................................................................................ 7 Chapter 2. Policy Support for Solid Waste Management and Circularity......................................... 9 Chapter 3. Institutional Support for Circularity............................................................................ 13 3.1. Financial support.................................................................................................................................................................... 13 3.2. Technology Development....................................................................................................................................................... 14 3.3. Capacity Building.................................................................................................................................................................... 14 3.4. Commercialization Support................................................................................................................................................... 15 3.5. International Cooperation...................................................................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 4. Innovations that Improve Circularity.......................................................................... 17 4.1. Collection................................................................................................................................................................................ 17 4.2. Waste Transport ..................................................................................................................................................................... 19 4.3. Labeling................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 4.4. Sorting..................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 4.5. Supportive Technologies Used in PET Bottle Single-source Collection.............................................................................. 23 4.6. Refill/Reuse............................................................................................................................................................................. 23 4.7. Reusable Cup/Container Recovery System.......................................................................................................................... 25 4.8. Eco-friendly Depolymerization Technology........................................................................................................................... 26 Chapter 5. Applicability to countries in the ASEAN Region........................................................... 29 Bibliography.............................................................................................................................. 30 List of Figures Figure 2.1. Financial Incentives Provided to the Public for Environmentally Friendly Actions................................................. 11 Figure 4.1. Segregation Stations and a Clean House Location with Recovered Recyclables.................................................. 18 Figure 4.2. Several Types of Waste Collection Vehicles............................................................................................................. 19 Figure 4.3. Diagram of the iTainer robot-aided Recovery of Recyclables .................................................................................. 21 Figure 4.4. Using a SuperBin Machine.......................................................................................................................................... 22 Figure 4.5. Components of a PET Bottle...................................................................................................................................... 23 Figure 4.6. AI-guided Bottle Ring Cutter....................................................................................................................................... 24 Figure 4.7. Product Displays at Almang Market’s Main Store in Seoul...................................................................................... 25 Figure 4.8. Examples of Machines for Recovering Recyclables in Korea.................................................................................. 26 Figure 4.9. City Oil Field’s Pilot Facility at the Sudokwon Landfill Site in Incheon..................................................................... 27 Abbreviations and Acronyms AI Artificial Intelligence AMS ASEAN Member States ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations CNPP Carbon Neutrality Practice Point EPR Extended Producer Responsibility e-TechHive Environmental Technology Innovation and Research Park HDPE High-density Polyethylene IoT Internet-of-Things IP Intellectual Property KCCP Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership KECO Korea Environment Corporation KEITI Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute KEPCO Korea Electric Power Corporation KIAT Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology KOSME Korea SMEs and Startups Agency KOTEK Korea Technology Finance Corporation K-Water Korea Water Resources Corporation LDPE Low-density Polyethylene MFDS Ministry of Food and Drug Safety MOE Ministry of Environment MOSS Ministry of SMEs and Startups MOTIE Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy MRFs Material Recovery Facilities MVP Minimum Viable Product NCC National Cooperation Center NIR Near-infrared Spectroscopy ODA Official Development Assistance PET Polyethylene Terephthalate PP Polypropylene PS Polystyrene PVC Polyvinyl Chloride R&D Research and Development RGO Regenerated Green Oil SMEs Small and Medium-sized Enterprises SUP Single-use Plastic TIPA Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs TIPS Tech Incubator Program for Startups 4 Glossary Innovation: The meaning of the word “innovation” varies, depending on the prevailing norms in a particular market. In this report, innovation applies to the technologies, materials, and business approaches that are used in the Republic of Korea to tackle the plastic pollution-related challenges that occur upstream, midstream, and downstream in the plastic value chain before plastic waste leaks into the environment or is transferred to a disposal site. Material recovery facility (MRF): A building that receives, sorts, processes, and stores recyclable materials that are to be marketed and shipped to end-users. An MRF accepts materials that are either separated at source, or are mixed; it separates the materials, if needed; and processes and stores them for use as raw material for remanufacturing and reprocessing. Plastic circularity: This term applies to technologies, business models, and other solutions that tackle the plastic pollution challenge by eliminating, reducing, or reusing plastic materials, and keeping them in circulation without their leaking into the environment. Plastic waste: Any discarded plastic (organic, synthetic, or material derived from polymers, resins, or cellulose) that has been generated by an industrial process, or by consumers.1 Recycling: 1) A resource recovery method that involves the collection and treatment of a waste product for use as raw material to manufacture the same product or a similar one. 2) The re-utilization of products or components in their original form as, for example, when used glass bottles are sterilized and refilled for resale.2 Volume-based waste fee: A fee introduced by the government of Korea in 1995 to provide an economic incentive for people to reduce their garbage by making them pay removal fees that are based on how much garbage they generate. Waste management: The supervision of waste generation, handling, processing, storage, and transport from its point of generation to its final acceptable form of disposal.3 1 UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme). n.d. “Plastic waste.” 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. 5 Innovations for Plastic Circularity in Korea: Enabling Conditions and Solutions 6 Chapter 1. Background CHAPTER 1. Background Plastic waste has a serious impact on human health and biodiversity in the countries that are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In 2021, in just six ASEAN member states (AMS)—Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam—the amount of mismanaged plastic waste was at least 8.4 million metric tons.4 The capacity to manage solid and plastic waste varies across these countries due to differing challenges, but all have high rates of mismanaged plastic packaging. While, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam have improved their solid waste and recycling systems, Cambodia lacks the necessary policies and infrastructure to effectively carry out waste segregation at source, and to collect, treat, and dispose of it.5 Indonesia and the Philippines, which both have thousands of islands, face other unique challenges that require customized waste management solutions.6 Despite the differences in waste management across these six AMS, they share the same significant plastic waste issue— the mismanagement of flexible packaging and other single-use items, such as food wrappers, plastic bags, takeaway cups, and plastic straws. These countries have largely focused on the downstream stage of waste management—clean up and waste treatment—rather than on the upstream stage of reducing the volume of plastic waste. Moreover, their solid waste management systems lack system-level support, economic incentives, and initiatives that enable upstream and midstream management.7 In the 1970s, the Republic of Korea faced similar waste management concerns as those currently plaguing the six AMS: lack of waste segregation, lack of recycling infrastructure, and lack of waste disposal. Korea’s problems with solid and plastic waste management were rising rapidly in the 1970s due to country’s increasing population and growing economic prosperity, which generated significantly more waste—the key components of which were construction waste, electronics, and single-use plastics (SUPs).8 During the 1970s, Korean households discharged more than 3.06 kg of waste per day. Due to the country’s significant waste management improvements, by 2017, households’ waste disposal rate had fallen to a daily average of just 1.02 kg.9 Korea has been able to significantly reduce its waste generation and increase its recycling rate through successfully developing and implementing key policies and regulations on waste circularity, as well as providing institutional support that has facilitated significant improvements in waste collection, transport, and the recovery of plastics. This paper presents information on several innovations that Korean entities have employed to improve plastic circularity and the related policies that have paved the way for their implementation. 4 Meijer et al. 2021. “Over 1000 rivers accountable for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean.” 5 Pheakdey et al. 2022. “Challenges and Priorities of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Cambodia.” 6 World Bank. 2021. “Plastic Waste Discharges from Rivers and Coastlines in Indonesia”; and Philippines News Agency. 2022. “Solid waste segregation remains major challenge in PH: DENR chief.” 7 Pucino et al. 2020.“Plastic Pollution Hotspotting and Shaping Action: Regional Results from Eastern and Southern Africa, the Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia; World Bank. 2024. “What a Waste Global Database”; WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Malaysia. 2020. “Study on EPR Scheme Assessment for Packaging Waste in Malaysia”; and WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Thailand. 2020. “Scaling Up Circular Strategies to Achieve Zero Plastic Waste in Thailand.” 8 Seoul Resource Recovery Facility. 2023. “Waste Management in Seoul” 9 Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea. 2023. “Land & Waste.” 7 Photo: Close up of crushed plastic pieces ready to be recycled. Shutterstock/Suteelak Phundang. Innovations for Plastic Circularity in Korea: Enabling Conditions and Solutions 8 Chapter 2. Policy Support for Solid Waste Management and Circularity CHAPTER 2. Policy Support for Solid Waste Management and Circularity In the 1980s, Korea’s solid waste policy focused on safe waste treatment. The Waste Management Act of 1986 largely concerned waste disposal. However, since then, Korea’s waste management policy has evolved. Starting in the 1990s, the country has emphasized recycling, and from 2000 onwards, resource recirculation. The 1992 Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources concerned the more efficient use of resources through recycling. The Act’s instruments require reducing the volume of waste, increasing the rate of recycling, and ensuring environmentally sound waste treatment. In 1995, the Adjustment of the Waste Management Act introduced the Volume-based Waste Fee, which imposes disposal charges based on the volume of waste. This Act is considered to have made the greatest contribution of all legislation by substantially reducing Korea’s waste generation and increasing the country’s recycling rate. Waste segregation at source also began with this Act, and has resulted in high quality and uncontaminated recyclables. Other policies that have contributed to Korea’s success in improving plastic circularity include the 2003 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act, which obligates producers to assume full financial responsibility for treating the waste from their products and packaging over their entire lifespan; the 2003 Construction Waste Recycling Promotion Act; the 2005 Food Waste Landfill Ban; and the 2008 regulations on Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles. In 2016, the Framework Act of Resource Circulation was enacted to promote the sustainable management of waste through all stages of a product’s lifespan from manufacturing through to safe disposal. In 2018, Comprehensive Measures for Waste Recycling introduced a series of specific actions to be carried out at each stage of the resource cycle from production, consumption, and collection/separation, to recycling and disposal. Photo: Material recovery facility. Study team. 9 Innovations for Plastic Circularity in Korea: Enabling Conditions and Solutions The Government of Korea first focused on increasing recycling and products and packaging must be labeled accordingly. to reduce plastic waste leakage in the environment and In addition to the grade assigned by KECO, labels must improve the disposal of recyclable plastic. Next, it focused provide information on the primary and miscellaneous on the different stages of production and consumption, materials used in production. such as the 1993 overpackaging ban and the 2019 SUP The packaging material and structure evaluation system bag ban at the consumption stage. In 2019, following the has resulted in innovative changes in packaging design—for amendment of the 1992 Act on the Promotion of Saving example, the change from colored PET bottles to transparent and Recycling of Resources, the packaging material and PET bottles, and from plastic labels to no labels or to easily structure evaluation system was introduced. This system removed labels. requires producers to evaluate the materials, structure, and ease of recycling for their products and packaging. Korea’s 2050 Carbon Neutral Strategy, which was developed It also provides incentives through varying EPR fees and in 2020, promotes circularity through the maximization encourages consumers to purchase products that are of resource efficiency and the minimization of resource easy to recycle. Additional policies that have improved inputs. This covers a product’s entire lifespan from the plastic circularity in Korea are free-of-charge pick up for extraction of resources to make the product, through its separated recyclables, eco-labeling/green certificates, and production, distribution, and consumption, to its recycling the creation of markets for recycled products. and disposal. In Korea, both the central and local governments are major The Carbon Neutrality Practice Point (CNPP) system, consumers of goods and services. The 1992 Act on Promotion which is stipulated in Article 67 of the Framework Act on of Saving and Recycling of Resources recommended Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Coping with the that, as much as possible, public institutions purchase Climate Crisis, incentivizes consumers to practice various eco-labeled or recycled products to encourage the growth eco-friendly activities, including reusing products. Between of the market for recycled and eco-friendly products. In 2022 and 2023, the government’s budget for the CNPP 2005, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) promulgated the system tripled from $1.8 million to $6.8 million (won 2.4 Act on Promotion of the Purchase of Environment-friendly billion to won 8.9 billion). Figure 2.1 shows the financial Products, which introduced a green public procurement incentives provided to the public for their environmentally scheme. To date (May 2024), about 190 government entities friendly actions: provide the MOE with annual reports on how much they Participants can earn up to 70,000 won, per person, per spend on green products. Starting in 2023, polyethylene year, and choose the type of reward they want (cash or terephthalate (PET) bottles must be manufactured with credit card points). KECO manages the CNPP system in at least 3 percent of their plastic coming from recovered collaboration with companies that provide consumers PET. Also, in 2023, the Recycling Industry Growth Fund with points and receive budget support from KECO. The was created to foster and support the recycling industry. CNPP system partially finances the incentives for using As noted above, since 2019, producers have been required Almang Market’s reuseable products11 and Oysterable’s to analyze the recycling potential of their product or reusable cups.12 packaging, including the label, container, cap, and other Korea’s commitment to “product lifecycle and design parts.10 The Korea Environment Corporation (KECO) checks management” and “a plastic-free society and sustainable these self-assessments to confirm the analysis. KECO then classifies products and packaging as “excellent,” “good,” “average,” or “poor” (difficult) based on the ease of recycling, 11 Almang Market is a zero-waste shop that sells eco-friendly products in bulk. Consumers bring their own containers. https://almang.modoo.at/ 12 Oysterable, which is the leading Internet of Things circular economy 10 Korea has several certified testing institutions for conducting these solution company in Korea, provides recycling/reuse infrastructure that evaluations for producers—for example, the Korea Testing and Research is designed solve solid and plastic waste problems. https://oysterable. Institute, and the Korea Testing Certification Institute. com/home-en 10 Chapter 2. Policy Support for Solid Waste Management and Circularity Figure 2.2. Financial Incentives Provided to the Public for Environmentally Friendly Actions 300 won/time 100 won/time Use reusable tumblers/cups Rent a shared car 200 won/time 1,000 won/time Return disposable cups Buy eco-friendly goods 1,000 won/time 100 won/time Use reusable containers Use high-quality recycled products 2,000 won/time 1,000 won/time Use a refill station Return a used mobile phone measures” is evident through its policies and technologies. In addition, this plan promotes automating material recovery In 2023, Korea announced that in 2024 it will start enforcing facilities (MRFs); establishing a supply chain link between its comprehensive plan, New Industrial Growth Strategies large enterprises and small and medium enterprises through Revitalizing the Circulation Economy, which is (SMEs) that recycle; managing full life-cycle circulation; intended to spearhead the mandatory use of recycled introducing a rating system for recycled materials and materials and the development of industries that use plastic resource efficiency; and developing circular economy waste. This comprehensive plan highlights the expansion clusters such as those in Busan and on Jeju Island. With of accreditation for resource circulation; mandates for these foundational policies and infrastructure in place, recycling materials; access to convenient infrastructure, Korea is well-positioned to lead the way toward a more such as unmanned recovery facilities; and a compensation sustainable and circular economy future. system for the collection of high-quality plastic waste. 11 Innovations for Plastic Circularity in Korea: Enabling Conditions and Solutions 12 Chapter 3 Institutional Support for Circularity CHAPTER 3 Institutional Support for Circularity The agencies that are responsible for encouraging innovative solutions for plastic circularity are led by the MOE; Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE); and Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MOSS). These three ministries support the work of the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI); Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT); Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME); and Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA). The support provided by MOE, MOTIE, and MOSS comprises: (i) finance, (ii) technology protection and development, (iii) capacity building/technology transfer, iv) comprehensive incubation/commercialization/industry promotion, and (v) international cooperation to achieve stable markets abroad. 3.1. Financial support Environmental Policy Fund: Through the KEITI Environmental Policy Loan program, MOE supports environmental conservation efforts, resource circulation, and the strengthening of the environmental industry. This loan program provides long-term, low-interest loans to environmental sector enterprises to facilitate their development of innovations and growth. Between 2009 and 2018, the total for disbursed loans was $1.52 billion. Based on the Waste Management Act’s Article 2, No. 9, 13 Photo: Plastic waste is compressed for recycling at a polyethylene recycling facility. Shutterstock/Meryll. Innovations for Plastic Circularity in Korea: Enabling Conditions and Solutions and Article 17 of the Waste Reduction Facility, the KEITI KEITI has 30 years of experience developing technologies for loan program includes a Recycling Industry Growth Fund sorting plastic waste and producing alternatives to plastic. that is designated to foster economic development.13 The MOSS technology protection program, which protects innovative technologies from being stolen, provides a safe Policy Fund: KOSME provides hybrid finance that combines environment for SMEs to conduct the research required to both investment and low-interest loans for high-tech develop and disseminate their innovative technologies. businesses with potential at the startup, growth, and The technology protection program that MOSS operates restarting stages. Its Income Sharing Loan enables companies ensures that SMEs are paid fairly for the technologies they to repay the loan through a percentage of their income develop because MOSS will prosecute any infringement. based on sales performance and the Growth Sharing Loan As part of its program, MOSS provides affordable advice offers convertible bonds and loans at a low interest rate. for SMEs about how to properly register ownership of KOSME also offers Business Restart Funds that support their technology. MOSS also operates the SME Technical restructuring and restarting for struggling but promising Dispute Mediation/Arbitration Committee that advises businesses; funds for research to commercialize SMEs’ SMEs on how to stop infringement of their technology. innovative technology; and Business Stabilization Funds for SMEs that are affected by a natural disaster or other difficulty.14 3.3. Capacity Building 3.2. Technology Development Capacity building is essential to fostering technological innovation and developing skilled professionals. KEITI operates initiatives that are designed to equip technology The 2011 Act for Advancing Collaborative Efforts Between developers with the core knowledge and skills they need Large Corporations and SMEs protects SMEs from having to develop and implement innovative technologies. One of their work taken over by larger and better-financed KEITI’s noteworthy initiatives is the Training Program for corporations. In 2021, when the Mandatory Recycling Ratio Environmental Assessment of Recycling, which enables was implemented, large petrochemical corporations began unemployed individuals to develop the skills they need to venture into waste sorting and recycling, which threatened to effectively assess and oversee recycling processes.15 SMEs’ recycling businesses. In response, organizations representing the SMEs petitioned the Korea Commission KEITI also offers the Data Provision for Environmental Industry for Corporate Partnership (KCCP) to designate plastic and Technology Development Program, which furnishes recycling exclusively for SMEs. In October 2022, the KCCP, consumer-oriented information and supplementary services which arbitrates disputes between large corporations and that support the environmental industry, technological SMEs, negotiated an agreement that designates SMEs advancements, and policy initiatives.16 By providing responsible for physically shredding plastic waste, while access to relevant data and information, KEITI improves petrochemical companies with the technical expertise and the capacity of stakeholders to make informed decisions finances are responsible for chemical recycling—which and take appropriate actions. often requires working with hazardous substances such KIAT manages the i-Tube System, which is a research as acids and solvents. and development (R&D) infrastructure-sharing system that facilitates private sector technology innovation by 13 The Recycling Industry Growth Fund, which KEITI oversees, is a strategic providing access to research equipment, human resources effort to bolster Korea’s recycling sector. This fund aims to enhance the sustainability and technological advancement of the recycling industry, and thereby contribute to the broader objectives of environmental preservation, 15 KEITI (Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute). 2023. and promoting the circular economy. “Fostering environmental companies.” 14 KOMES (Korea SMEs and Startups Agency). n.d. “Policy Fund.” 16 Ibid. 14 Chapter 3 Institutional Support for Circularity and services, and encourages collaboration between private the Environmental Technology and Environmental Industry companies and public R&D institutions. The companies Support Act’s Article 6, and the Enforcement Decree’s that are selected to participate in the i-Tube System get Article 17, has provided services to SMEs with potential technical support in developing and testing their innovations, to commercialize their environmental technology, which as well as consulting services, and the government pays includes circular economy businesses that are working 70 percent of the cost. By providing affordable access to on “plastic-free” innovations. The services provided R&D infrastructure and expertise, the i-Tube System aims include consulting, technology adaptation, certification, to accelerate the development of innovations, boost the and market-entry. 19 competitiveness of Korean companies, and drive economic Incubating green companies (KEITI’s e-TechHive): Since growth in strategic industries. 2017, KEITI has supported environmental start-ups and Another approach that promotes innovation is technology SMEs through its Environmental Technology Innovation transfer. With assistance from the MOTIE, large corporations and Research Park (e-TechHive).20 These include venture such as Samsung Electronics, SK, and POSCO, as well as public capitalists, SMEs, research institutes, academic institutions, institutions such as the Korea Electric Power Corporation NGOs, and others that are interested in researching and (KEPCO) and Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water), developing environmental technologies. By 2022, e-TechHive share or transfer their technologies/patents to SMEs or had accommodated 130 companies and provided them mid-sized companies for no cost. Through the Technology with benefits that comprise support throughout the entire Transfer Promotion Program and the Technology Sharing innovation development process. This includes facilities Program, recipient companies can leverage technologies to and consulting services through e-TechHive’s Business create innovations that meet the needs of their business.17 Doctor Support Program that assists with R&D, applying for patents, networking, partnerships, recruiting staff, and In addition, the Korea Technology Finance Corporation paying staff salaries. (KOTEK) operates an open-technology innovation project called Tech-Bridge that facilitates technology transfer and commercialization. Public sector technologies of interest to SMEs are connected through the Tech-Bridge platform, which 3.5. International Cooperation provides a network, online database, and database search tool , which has over 320,000 entries about intellectual Korea is expanding its scope to develop international property (IP) rights and new inventions.18 standards and explore new technologies abroad. The following activities show how KIAT and KEITI are supporting innovations. 3.4. Commercialization Support Cooperation with the European Union and ASEAN: KIAT runs co-funding programs such as Eurostar, which provides Commercialization of SMEs with Environmental selected companies with up to $0.8 million (won 1 billion) in Technology: This KEITI program offers multi-dimensional technology development finance spread over 3 years. These support to help environmental technology companies funds finance technology transfer to ASEAN industries, as accelerate the commercialization of their innovations well as joint research with academic and other research by providing finance, capacity building, and consulting institutes. KIAT monitors these Korean-funded initiatives services. Since 2010, KEITI’s program, which is based on and evaluates them using the standards of the MOTIE. 17 KIAT (Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology). 2023. “Innovative Platforms for Industrial Technology.” 19 For more information see: KEITI (Korea Environmental Industry and 18 For more information see: KOTEK (Korea Technology Finance Corporation). Technology Institute). n.d. “Fostering environmental companies.” n.d. “Major Services.” 20 For more information see: e-TechHive. n.d. “Supporting Business.” 15 Innovations for Plastic Circularity in Korea: Enabling Conditions and Solutions National Cooperation Centers (NCCs): KIAT facilitates Global Network: KIAT supports innovation outside Korea global cooperation and technology consulting through through its global networks, such as GT Online, the K-TAG NCCs. Under this program, KIAT provides support for Korean Platform, and an annual matching event called Global companies in finding overseas partners and it conducts Tech Korea. These initiatives provide information on project planning and joint global research by: (i) facilitating policy and technology market trends, R&D projects, and technical seminars and workshops, (ii) finding partners, matchmaking opportunities, including introducing Korean and (iii) facilitating collaborative R&D. engineers who are willing to provide consulting services overseas. These activities provide opportunities to examine Bilateral Overseas Development Assistance (ODA): innovative strategies with international companies and Through its bilateral ODA project, KIAT transfers technologies promote global cooperation. and develops markets for Korean companies by providing them with guidance on how to overcome challenges with their production sites in developing countries. Most of these ODA projects focus on industrial technologies, and particularly on those that are concerned with innovations in manufacturing and energy. 16 Chapter 4. Innovations that Improve Circularity CHAPTER 4. Innovations that Improve Circularity Innovations for waste collection, transport, and recovery of plastics range from simple, basic modifications of existing methodologies for collection and transport, to others that use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the identification, classification, sorting, and recovery of various types of plastic. 4.1. Collection High rates of uncollected waste and low recycling rates in rural and remote areas are common challenges across Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Collection is considered one of the most critical steps in the waste management value chain as it secures the resources necessary for recycling. With their low recycling rate due to unsegregated waste collection, these six AMS need to promote the development of infrastructure for the efficient separation of waste so that when waste is collected, recyclable items are not contaminated. The allocation of space for segregation at source is an important issue—for recycling to be effective, different types of waste must be collected separately. This often means that extra funds are needed for site acquisition and the construction of facilities. The Korean government has addressed this issue by authorizing the setting up of temporary discharge spots in parking lots or other empty spaces on designated days. These designated days, usually once or twice per week, are determined by the relevant apartment complex or municipality. This practice of leveraging empty space is suitable for the six AMS as they have a limited budget and this practice minimizes the need to build and maintain facilities for Photo: Woman demonstrates how to use plastic recycling vending machine. Study team. 17 Innovations for Plastic Circularity in Korea: Enabling Conditions and Solutions Figure 4.1. Segregation Stations and a Clean House Location with Recovered Recyclables A site that segregates recyclable waste in A recycling waste segregation station in an area an apartment complex with detached houses A Clean House recyclable waste segregation station on Jeju Island Map of Clean House locations on the App Transparent PET bottles Styrofoam Plastic films segregation at source. In an apartment discharge station, of recyclable waste.21 To avoid waste overflow in these residents prepare large bags with each type of recyclable small facilities, specific days are set for discarding each waste so that these are ready for pick up by a waste type of recyclable waste. truck. In areas of major cities with detached houses or In Korean agricultural areas and on islands with a low townhouses, where empty space is scarce, minimum-sized population density, waste stations similar to those in detached segregation centers can be set up with bins for each type housing areas are installed (Figure 4.1). For example, on 21 The individual bins for recyclable items are for vinyl, cans, paper, plastic, transparent PET bottles, Styrofoam, and glass. 18 Chapter 4. Innovations that Improve Circularity Jeju Island, local governments operate waste segregation transition has been more successful in apartment complexes facilities called Clean House. Residents can find a nearby where private companies effectively segregate waste for Clean House location through the Clean Jeju app or the recycling (Figure 4.2). However, in areas with detached Jeju municipalities’ website. housing, due to municipalities’ waste management finance constraints, the switch to standard collection vehicles has been slower.22 4.2. Waste Transport Since December 2021, the use of compression vehicles for collecting and transporting recyclables has been Source segregation is not widely implemented in most prohibited in Korea. of the six AMS in question. Typically, informal workers handle the collection of recyclables and mixed waste is collected and loaded onto trucks that compact the garbage. 4.3. Labeling Despite efforts to encourage consumers to follow recycling guidelines, the separation of waste continues to be a While Korea has established effective segregation and problem. Where segregation at source does take place, collection practices, there are still limitations in segregating only transparent PET bottles, Styrofoam, and plastic film plastic materials. Although six types of plastic—high-density are separated, which means that waste requires further polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), sorting at MRFs. The use of compression vehicles for PET, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl collection reduces the volume of separated recyclable chloride (PVC)—are labeled on each product to indicate waste and it reduces the cost of waste transportation. their resin composition, other types of plastic are not, However, compressing waste before it is properly separated contaminates recyclable materials, hinders the sorting process at MRFs, and constitutes a barrier in recycling. 22 A 3.5-ton compression truck can load 3 tons of compressed waste. In contrast, the same-sized truck, which does not compress waste can only load 1 to 1.5 tons. This means that to replace compression trucks, In 2017, Korea shifted to standard collection vehicles instead additional vehicles must be deployed. This increases costs to pay for the of vehicles that compress waste to increase recycling. This additional trucks and the salaries of the three sets of workers that are required for each truck. Figure 4.2. Several Types of Waste Collection Vehicles A vehicle that collects mixed waste A dedicated vehicle that collects a single A vehicle that compresses waste (apartment complexes) type of waste (apartment complexes) (Used in locations with individual houses and small commercial areas) 19 Innovations for Plastic Circularity in Korea: Enabling Conditions and Solutions and the discharge criteria do not align with the labeling sorting.24 Even with these technologies, manual separation system. Also, while some products, such as transparent is still required to remove large pieces that could disrupt PET bottles, Styrofoam, and plastic films are segregated, MRFs’ automated machines. In the future, for greater LDPE, PP, PS, and PVC products are not. efficiency, accuracy, and safety, sorting processes could be carried out by robots. Since consumers are already required to separate various types of waste, compelling them to segregate all plastics would be too demanding. Also, the label “Other” 23 on some plastics creates confusion and results in the mixing of AI-based Sorting Robots various recyclables, which hampers the recycling process. ACI is a Korean company that specializes in petrochemical To address these issues and provide clarity, the government and environmental engineering, working primarily on waste has introduced a new labeling system, which indicates treatment and recycling.25 ACI has developed an AI sorting the recyclability level of each product. system called Dr. B that can identify 67 different types of items, and using robotic arms, it sorts the targeted plastic waste based on its material, color, and even its 4.4. Sorting specific brand. Dr. B can process up to three pieces of waste per second, and it can achieve sorting rates of up Despite diligent segregation efforts, recyclable waste is to 180 picks per minute. The system provides real-time usually mixed at MRFs. Separately collected waste becomes monitoring capabilities, including operational data such mixed in the trucks during transportation because vehicles as the system’s running time, waste characteristics, motor for a single type of recyclable are not commonly deployed. performance, and the status of the different receptacles As of 2020, there were 198 public MRFs operating across that contain sorted waste. Dr. B also has an automated Korea, with 70 percent of these facilities sorting waste, data reporting system that analyzes waste characteristics manually, using a conveyor belt. Workers who are skilled and trends, and periodically generates reports. at sorting and reclamation play a critical role in further ACI has provided waste collection and sorting facilities segregating waste by identifying and manually separating for over 60 municipalities over 18 years. The government the different types of plastic. However, due to the difficult of Dobong-gu District in Seoul spent $4.3 million (won working conditions and relatively low wages, Korea has 5.6 billion) to modernize its resource circulation center a shortage of these skilled workers. Moreover, most to incorporate ACI’s resource reclamation package, MRFs have not been upgraded to improve their facilities which uses various sorting processes such as gravity because waste management is not a high priority in many separation and a compressing device. The Dobong-gu MRF, municipalities. In addition, due to municipalities’ limited which has the highest resource recovery rate of Korea’s budget and space, they cannot install the costly equipment government-operated facilities, handles approximately required to mechanically sort each type of plastic. Only a 50 metric tons per day. In 2021, VL Investment (a private few modernized MRFs use advanced technologies such equity fund) invested $5.3 million (won 7 billion) in ACI, as magnetic separation, color sorting, gravity sorting, and which came through the Future Environmental Industry near infrared (NIR) sorting to complement their manual Fund that the MOE created as part of its Fund of Funds. VL Investment is planning to invest another $15.2 million 24 NIR uses the wavelength signature of specific resins to distinguish them from each other, but it does not distinguish colors. NIR sorting is employed at both MRFs and plastic reclamation facilities (APR [Association of Plastic Recyclers]. 2018. “Near Infrared (NIR) Sorting in the Plastics Recycling 23 “Other” is the label for plastic that is mixed with materials such aluminum Process”). or rubber, or that is hard to define since several types of plastic were 25 Nature Stone. 2023. “SMART Waste Collection System; Dr.B. 2023. “Smart used. Waste Sorting Robot with AI Engine – Dr.B.” 20 Chapter 4. Innovations that Improve Circularity (won 20 billion) in ACI in the near future. This planned In addition, the iTainer-Robot’s system has a program that investment shows that large corporations are keen on makes payments and provides rewards. This can impose obtaining high-quality feedstock and that ACI is capable charges for non-recyclable waste and provide rewards to of meeting these demands. incentivize recyclable waste. An AI-based counting sensor quickly identifies the types of waste and calculates charges and rewards as it sorts waste into its respective bin. These Ultra-small MRFs equipped with an AI- bins are also equipped with compressors that reduce the based Sorting Robot volume of waste. ACI recently introduced the iTainer-Robot, which is an While the iTainer-Robot’s price per unit is high—$385,000 innovative solution that uses AI-based technology to (won 500 million)—the system is cost-effective when segregate recyclable waste during the collection phase. compared to constructing an MRF. The equipment that The robot is designed for use in public places where visitors ACI has provided for the Dobong-gu MRF, which carries generate large volumes of waste. It segregates all types of out collection, sorting, and compressing sorted waste, cost waste on-site without manual intervention. When recyclable $4.3 million (won 5.6 billion) and it requires a substantial waste is deposited into the iTainer-Robot without prior area (1,208 square meters). However, the much smaller segregation, AI robots equipped with technology similar iTainer-Robot processes 2 metric tons of waste per day and to Dr. B automatically sort the waste into transparent PET its advantages include minimal space, labor-free operation, bottles, colored PET bottles, HDPE, PS, PP, cans, glass, cost efficiency, and data-driven waste management. paper, and milk cartons (Figure 4.3). Figure 4.3. Diagram of the iTainer robot-aided Recovery of Recyclables Source: ACI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peb32YuAbHI 21 Innovations for Plastic Circularity in Korea: Enabling Conditions and Solutions Figure 4.4. Using a SuperBin Machine Source: SuperBin AI-based Specific Single-source Item Nephron’s AI-based image technology can identify waste Collection and Sorting (Transparent PET items using its database of 700,000 beverage containers that are made of metal or PET. As of July 2023, the system Bottles) had processed 90 million images of containers. Even when Due to Korea’s enforcement of its recycled content mandate the shape of a container or its barcode has been damaged, in 2023 and the prohibition of importing plastic waste, Nephron’s technology achieves 92 percent accuracy in securing good feedstock has become critical for bottle recognizing waste—a level that will continue to improve producers so that they can continue operating. In 2020, over time through deep learning and the use of historical to promote the recovery of clean, single-source feedstock big data. during the waste discharge and collection phases, the Nephron only accepts clean, transparent bottles that Korean government piloted the segregation of transparent have had their labels removed, which complies with the PET bottles. This initiative was scaled up in low-rise housing government’s guidelines on the separate discharge of areas in 2021. The public now recognize that transparent PET bottles. The machine will not accept bottles that have PET bottles are a valuable resource, which has contributed liquid in them or that still have labels. The compressor to the development of innovative recycling SMEs. inside the SuperBin reduces the volume of PET bottles to SuperBin, developed by Nephron,26 is a reverse vending one-third of the original amount. This allows the machine machine that collects beverage cans and PET bottles in the to collect up to 1,500 PET bottles and cans before these world’s first AI-based recyclable waste recovery machine must be removed. A central operating system monitors (Figure 4.4). The SuperBin supports the circular economy the operations of each SuperBin in real time, including by providing individuals with financial rewards when they the amount of material stored in the machine, efficiently return recyclable waste so that it can become a resource identifying when the machine should be cleared out and for making new recyclable products. Nephron’s machine its materials collected. The central operating system also has a mobile app that pays $0.75 (about won 10) for each instantly detects malfunctions so that maintenance staff returned bottle and can. can address these problems remotely. As of July 2023, 900 SuperBins had been deployed in 26 Superbin. n.d. “SuperBin creates a world where waste becomes money and recycling becomes play.” public places in Korea, including parks, community centers, 22 Chapter 4. Innovations that Improve Circularity government buildings, schools, convenience stores, and department stores. Corporations such as Samsung Display, Figure 4.5. Components of a PET Bottle Naver, and Kakao have installed SuperBins in their office buildings. A total of 500,000 people use Nephron’s machines each month and the monthly average for recovery is 300 metric tons. 4.5. Supportive Technologies Used in PET Bottle Single- source Collection. A PET bottle is made with PET, HDPE, and PP (see Figure 4.5). If transparent PET bottles are collected separately, preventing contamination, high-quality recycled materials easily removable labels have been introduced. When the can be produced with less pre-treatment washing and drying AI-based sensor in the EZ cap is applied, it can identify 200 required. By eliminating sorting and pre-treatment, the different brands and shapes of PET bottles, and then the cost of producing flakes and pellets for recycling is lower. PETRO machine automatically cuts off the rings of different When waste PET bottles are mixed with their PP labels types of bottles (Figure 4.6). Developing this AI-based and/or their HDPE caps and rings, the waste bottles must technology to automatically cut off a bottle’s ring was go through pre-treatment processes, despite the efforts challenging because it required extensive deep learning to made at the waste generation and collection stages. This identify the shapes and designs of newly released bottles. takes away the social benefits of segregated collection.27 By eliminating manual separation and gravity separation Jusin Global Tech developed the PETRO machine series in the recycling process, Jusin Global Tech’s solutions to collect transparent PET bottles28 and recycle 100 have contributed to reducing the cost of producing plastic percent of them without using a water-related process flakes by 50 percent. to separate the PET and PP components. This improves water and energy efficiency in the sorting and drying processes, saving money. PETRO has an AI-based PET 4.6. Refill/Reuse bottle collection system, which is similar to Nephron’s SuperBin. PETRO’s unique technology, EZ cap, enables Island countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines face 100 percent single-source collection of PET bottles by specific challenges in undertaking recycling. Communities collecting their caps and rings separately. This ultimately on small islands are under-resourced and lack basic waste contributes to shortening the pre-treatment process of management capacity, which impedes their recycling. In materials before recycling. addition, the high cost of transporting waste to recycling As a result of regulations that evaluate the structure of by boat makes recycling financially unsustainable. One packaging material, which is linked with EPR incentives, of the options for addressing plastic pollution in island countries is reducing the use of plastic by introducing 27 Dedicated pre-treatment infrastructure for transparent PET bottles is refill and reuse solutions.29 necessary, but it has not been widely introduced in Korea. 28 Jusin Global Tech is a startup with manufacturing technology that provides solutions for plastic injection molding. https://www.jsglobaltech.com/ 29 World Bank. 2022. “Technologies and Solutions to Manage Plastic english Waste in Small and Remote Islands.” 23 Innovations for Plastic Circularity in Korea: Enabling Conditions and Solutions Figure 4.6. AI-guided Bottle Ring Cutter Removing the bottle’s cap Putting the mouth of bottle in the opening in Pushing the bottle down and discarding it. the machine. to cut off its ring. Refill shops, also called package-free or bulk stores, offer through a system with points that can be redeemed for products in refillable or plastic-free containers, and provide discounts on future purchases, utility bill reductions, or refill services if customers bring their own packaging. While converted into financial donations for environmental causes. several examples of such shops can be found in Cambodia, As a result, the number of refill stores had increased from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, their ability 10 in July 2021 to more than 200 in February 2023.31 to scale is limited by challenges in acquiring customers, Korea’s first refill shops, Almang Market,32 are among the need to adhere to health and safety regulations, and the few zero-waste, self-sustaining shops that operate the lack of incentives that encourage reuse and refill. with no government support. Unlike other refill shops In Korea, refill stores primarily supply personal hygiene that only sell hygiene products, Almang, which means products. Containers for these products are difficult to “kernel” (something with no shell), sells a variety of products recycle because they are made from several types of plastic, with no packaging—personal products, such as shampoo, and they contain other materials such as the metal springs liquid soap, and sunblock cream; cooking supplies, such in the device for pumping out the product. as olive oil and balsamic vinegar; and tea leaves, coffee beans, and nuts (Figure 4.7). Because Almang Market In 2021, Korea’s MOE and the Ministry of Food and Drug would find it difficult to sell all of its large bulk orders Safety (MFDS) prepared support measures to encourage before their expiration date, the company shares its orders the development of refill shops that provide four types of with other zero-waste stores. As part of a group of 150 hygiene products (shampoo, conditioner, body cleanser, zero-waste refill stores, Almang Market connects with and liquid soap). The MFDS has also issued guidelines on product sellers, recyclers, and the creators of upcycled sanitary management to prevent hygiene problems from products. By encouraging producers and consumers to developing because containers are reused repeatedly. change their behavior, it has contributed to reducing plastic MOE has also issued guidelines on standard multiple-use consumption and increasing recycling. In 2021, Almang containers,30 which require them to be easy to clean and Market’s headquarters and its second branch reduced recycle, and MOE has piloted the use of standard containers the use of 75,000 100 ml containers, and collected 8,274 in small- and medium-sized stores. The producers of standard kg of recyclable waste, including plastic bottle caps and containers for cosmetic refill shops should benefit from milk cartons, which were sent to recycling companies.33 paying lower EPR charges. Consumers that use refill stores are also rewarded for contributing to carbon neutrality 31 Park. 2023. “What are the complaints and betrayal of the eco-friendly ‘Refill Station’?” 30 MOE (Ministry of Environment) Republic of Korea. n.d. “Guideline for 32 For more information see: https://almang.modoo.at/ washing and hygiene of multiple-use containers.” 33 Kim. 2022. “Courageous man, take only the lining.” 24 Chapter 4. Innovations that Improve Circularity Figure 4.7. Product Displays at Almang Market’s Main Store in Seoul the reusable cup recovery systems in Starbucks in Seoul 4.7. Reusable Cup/Container and on Jeju Island avoided the use of about 5.8 million Recovery System SUP cups. Oysterable launched its reusable container recovery machines, Lalaloop Dish in 2023, and since then In Korea, although the use of SUP cups and utensils the machines have been installed in university dormitories is banned in cafes and restaurants, SUP cups are not and convenience stores in Seoul. When ordering delivery banned for takeaway drinks, so these still end up as waste. food, users who request Lalaloop’s multiple-use containers Oysterable,34 an environmental startup company, operates can conveniently return these to Lalaloop’s unmanned an Internet-of-Things (IoT) resource recovery system called reclaiming machines. Lalaloop that provides (i) resource recovery devices; (ii) MOSS has provided a series of assistance packages to a compensation app called Today’s Recycle that is used support Oysterable, including the Early-stage Startup Package, for resource recirculation; (iii) a console that analyzes Steppingstone (First Step) Project, and Tech Incubator and manages resource recovery data; and (iv) Lalaloop Program for Startups (TIPS). This assistance has enabled ID that tracks and manages goods.35 Approximately 600 Oysterable to secure funding for product development Lalaloop resource recovery devices, including recyclable and launch a minimum viable product (MVP).36 waste recovery devices, have been installed nationwide in Korea (Figure 4.8). MOSS has provided tailored support packages for companies based on their growth stage, including those that have There are 120 Oysterable reusable cup recovery systems, just launched or are at the early startup stage. MOSS’s nationwide, in Korea, which operate primarily in Starbucks support packages comprise: coffee shops. Between July 2021 and December 2022, 36 An MVP is an initial version of a waste management solution that 34 Shin. 2023. “Oysterable solves plastic and waste problems with smart possesses the minimum features necessary to function, effectively, and resource recovery infrastructure ‘Lalaloop’.” satisfy early adopters. An MVP, which is expected to undergo a number 35 Lalaloop ID is a recognition code printed on recyclable and reusable of improvements, focuses initially on core functionalities such as efficient commodities. Oysterable use various recognition technologies, such as a collection, segregation, and disposal methods. MVPs not only streamline quick-response (QR) code, barcode, radio-frequency identification (RFI), or resource allocation and reduce upfront investment risks, but they also a digital watermark, to track reusable products’ production, distribution, foster innovation through continuous learning and adaptation to evolving and disposal. waste management practices. 25 Innovations for Plastic Circularity in Korea: Enabling Conditions and Solutions Figure 4.8. Examples of Machines for Recovering Recyclables in Korea PET bottle recovery machine Reusable cup recovery machine Reusable food container recovery machine • The Pre-startup Package: This package provides essential assistance for aspiring innovators who want to start a 4.8. Eco-friendly business, as well as entrepreneurship training, mentoring Depolymerization Technology from experts, prototype development, and marketing. City Oil Field’s regenerated green oil (RGO) technology • The Early-stage Startup Package: This package is for turns plastic waste back into a petroleum product by using startups with promising ideas and technologies that wave energy at a low temperature that emulsifies plastic have been operating for 3 years and are ready for waste.37 The company has developed a specialized ceramic commercialization. It provides up to about $76,000 ball that is heated to 280 degrees Celsius to create energy (won 100 million) for prototype production, acquiring of a specific wavelength that separates oil vapor from the intellectual property rights, and marketing. other materials found in plastic waste. The vaporized oil • The Startup Scale-up Package: This package assists is collected as a liquid through a cooling process that companies that have been operating for 3 to 7 years. It transforms it into heavy oil. The oil is then put through a supports commercialization by providing up to $230,000 secondary process that refines it into light oil, which can (won 300 million) and facilitating collaboration with a be used as fuel for power plants, or the heavy oil can large enterprise. be turned into naphtha—a raw material for producing plastics.38 When mixed waste is used as the input, only MOSS also has Startup Growth Technology Development the plastic waste will be converted into oil. The remaining Programs that revitalize technology startups and promote their growth by supporting their R&D. Eligible applicants 37 City Oil Field. n.d. “Key Technology of City Oil Field.” 38 If plastic waste (PET, PP, and PS) is used as an input, more than 80 percent for the latter include entrepreneurs that have been in of the weight of the waste can be converted into oil. For example, the business for fewer than 7 years and have sales of less recycled oil yield rate for the plastic nets or the vinyl used in greenhouses is 90 to 95 percent. For the household waste in volume-based waste fee than $1.5 (won 2 billion). bags that goes to landfills, the light oil yield rate is 40 to 60 percent. 26 Chapter 4. Innovations that Improve Circularity biological waste is converted into high-calorie carbon Gwangyang in August 2023.39 The company also began powders that can be used as raw materials for solid fuel. constructing a plant in Jeongeup, with assistance from Metals, glass, and aluminum remain in their original form KECO. In addition, the RGO technology is currently being with no physical change. replicated in Indonesia and the United Kingdom. City Oil Field has been successfully putting its RGO technology When heating the reactor with electricity, the RGO technology into practice. In 2023, at a facility in Incheon City Oil does not generate greenhouse gas emissions, with the Field and Sudokwon Landfill Corporation carried out an exception of scope 2 emissions. It is cost-effective and it R&D pilot with six metric tons of waste (Figure 4.9), and operates with a minimum number of staff. City Oil Field’s first commercial plant was completed in Figure 4.9. City Oil Field’s Pilot Facility at the Sudokwon Landfill Site in Incheon Source: City Oil Field 39 Annually, the plant can treat 8,000 tons of general waste (unsegregated plastic waste) and produce 4,700 tons of high-quality oil. 27 Innovations for Plastic Circularity in Korea: Enabling Conditions and Solutions 28 Chapter 5. Applicability to countries in the ASEAN Region CHAPTER 5. Applicability to countries in the ASEAN Region Like its Asian neighbors, Korea faced waste management and plastic pollution issues when its economy began to grow in the 1970s. Although the maturity of solid and plastic waste management systems varies across the six AMS highlighted in this report, the policies, institutional support, and capacity building initiatives that have proven successful in Korea could be successfully localized to benefit each. Korea’s innovations, which range from basic waste management techniques to applies AI, could be adapted and adopted. How successfully Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam can apply Korea’s improvements in basic solid waste management, as well as its improvements in recovering and reusing plastics, will depend on how well Korea’s policies, regulations, and initiatives suit local conditions; whether they are effectively implemented; and whether these efforts are sustained. Photo: A view of Lumpini Park in central Bangkok, Thailand. 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