영농폐기물 자발적 관리 유도를 위한 거버넌스 운영 필요성 −경남 농촌환경 개선 캠페인 사례를 중심으로−

The Need for a Governance Framework to Induce Voluntary Management of Agricultural Waste for Rural Environments

In 2023, the reported generation of various agricultural wastes in rural areas, specifically waste vinyl and pesticide containers, was 290,017 tons and 73,822,258 units, respectively. To promote the efficient collection and recycling of agricultural waste, the Korea Environment Corporation has been implementing a collection and treatment program. As part of the 2024 pilot program for autonomous agricultural waste collection, 212,080 tons of waste were collected. However, a significant portion of this waste remains uncollected, leading to illegal incineration, burial, and abandonment. This paper analyzes the outcomes of a rural environmental improvement campaign in the Gyeongnam region, which was conducted through a public-private-academic governance model. The study aims to demonstrate the need for establishing a sustainable circular system for agricultural waste, enhancing its value as a carbon-neutral renewable energy source, and strengthening community capabilities. Through this governance model, which included farmers, government, local authorities, and related organizations, we shared insights into the current state and challenges of agricultural waste management, explored solutions, and encouraged voluntary participation from residents in environmental improvement. The results confirmed that preventing environmental pollution from indiscriminate waste disposal, creating a pleasant rural environment, and recognizing the role of agricultural waste as a carbon-neutral biofuel can contribute to the public value of agriculture and rural communities. These findings suggest the potential for this model to be adopted as an effective ESG management strategy for public institutions and local governments to establish a robust resource circulation system for agricultural waste.