Gwangju Dong-gu Wins Big Data Excellence Award for Digitizing Resource-Circulation Administration

Real-time garbage truck routes and arrival times help reduce alleyway odors
Encouraging eco-friendly practices with points for using personal tumblers and reusable containers

Dong-gu in Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City has been recognized for its achievements in digitally transforming resource-circulation administration, including providing real-time information on garbage truck routes and arrival times, earning an award in a nationwide big data and artificial intelligence (AI) evaluation.

Dong-gu announced on October 30 that it had received the Excellence Award in the public sector at the 13th Korea Big Data AI Awards ceremony, held on October 28 at the Maeil Business Newspaper Media Center in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Exterior of the Jeonnam Gwangju Dong-gu Office.

Hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and organized by the Korea Big Data Society, the Korea Big Data AI Awards recognizes outstanding institutions and companies that maximize the value of extensive data and lead the AI transformation (AX) of industry and the public sector.

Dong-gu received high praise from the judging panel for the high level of completion of "Donggurami On," an integrated resource-circulation platform built by systematically collecting and analyzing local waste collection and recycling data, as well as for its impact on residents.

The service that drew the most attention was the "Garbage Truck Arrival Information Service," developed based on big data analysis. Applying the bus information system (BIS) used in public transportation to household waste collection, the service enables residents to check in advance when a garbage truck is expected to arrive outside their homes and put out their waste on time. By significantly reducing the time waste is left unattended, the service addresses odor and alleyway environmental problems and has become an innovative model for establishing a mature culture of waste sorting, attracting benchmarking visits from local governments nationwide.

"Donggurami On" also provides a map showing the locations of unmanned collection machines for cans and clear plastic bottles, collection points throughout the neighborhood, and specialty shops that repair and alter home appliances and clothing. It also actively encourages residents to adopt eco-friendly practices voluntarily, including by awarding 300 points each time they use a reusable container or personal tumbler.

Dong-gu Mayor Lim Taek said, "This award recognizes Dong-gu's smart administration, which has closely connected advanced digital technologies, including big data and AI, with residents' everyday practices. We will continue to use accumulated data to improve living conditions in our alleyways and expand practical services that make it easier for residents to participate in resource circulation in their daily lives."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.