South Korea, one of the world's major plastic consumers per capita, is using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to tackle plastic pollution, which is playing an increasingly important role in waste recycling.
At a residential quarter in Seoul Metropolitan Area, a new type of recycling bin is gaining popularity. Powered by AI, the bin can identify almost all kinds of plastic bottles available in South Korea within a matter of seconds. Each machine can process up to 600 kilograms of plastic a month.
More than 1,000 AI-powered recycling bins have been set up in communities, parks, and other public spaces across South Korea, retrieving at least 500 million plastic bottles in just over a year. In return, residents can earn points redeemable for money.
"I often use [recycling bins.] There are fewer people today because of the snow, but usually, people have to line up for their turn. Someone around here has earned up to 180,000 Korean won (about 130 U.S. dollars) worth points, which not only protects environment but is also a way to make extra money," a resident told CCTV.
A recycling factory in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province processes those collected plastic bottles. Here, large bundles of compressed plastic wastes are sorted and cleansed. The AI system removes impurities, and the plastic is then cleansed in hot water and shredded into small chips. After about 25 minutes, plastic granules that can be used to make fibers or containers are generated.
"Currently we can produce around 10,000 tons of processed plastic granules a year, which are mainly supplied to petrochemical, fiber, and plastic container manufacturing companies," said Hong Seong-en, planning department manager at a local recycling company.
In South Korea, recycled plastic finds commercial applications in various industries such as automotive and home appliances. Commodities made from recycled plastic are also increasingly seen in consumers' daily life.
One fashion store in Seoul specializes in eco-friendly products made from plastic. For example, a backpack is crafted from 16 plastic bottles, making it both a sustainable and stylish option for consumers.
"I never expected this was made from plastic bottles. It looks pretty, and light in weight. More importantly, it's environmentally friendly and it's functional," said a shopper.
Data from South Korea's Ministry of Environment showed that more than 12 million tons of plastic waste were generated across the country in 2021, with plastic bottles and bags making up over 40 percent of the total.
AI tech supports plastic waste recycling in South Korea
China's first 500-kV cross-border alternating-current power interconnection project entered service Monday, creating the highest voltage grid tie between the two countries and advancing Belt and Road energy cooperation.
The project raises two-way power transfer capacity between the two countries from 50,000 kW to 1.5 million kW, enabling the annual transmission of about 3 billion kWh of clean electricity, roughly 30 times the capacity of previous lines, according to China Southern Power Grid.
As the largest cross-border grid project and the highest-voltage power link between China and Laos, it connects southwest China's Yunnan Province with Oudomxay and Luang Namtha provinces in northern Laos.
Cross-border electricity trading began as the project entered operation. About 4.81 million kWh of power from clean energy bases in northern Laos was transmitted to Yunnan through the new line, marking a more regular and institutionalized phase of power connectivity between the two countries.
It is also the first time an overseas new energy project has participated in China's electricity market, the company said. The power involved in the transaction came from a large mountain photovoltaic project in Laos, one of the core supporting power sources for the interconnection line.
"This project is the cross-border power grid project with the highest voltage level between China and Laos. Leveraging the China-Laos power grid interconnection and the power markets in southern China, surplus hydropower from Laos can be transmitted to China during the rainy season, while China can supply supplemental power to northern Laos during the dry season. This project represents yet another landmark achievement between China and Laos in deepening power cooperation and jointly advancing the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative," said Li Jingru, general manager of Electricite du Laos Transmission Company Limited (EDL-T), a joint venture of China Southern Power Grid and Lao state-run Electricite du Laos.
The solar project has an average annual power generation capacity of about 1.65 billion kWh. In 2026, it is expected to transmit about 1.1 billion kWh of solar power across the border, supporting energy complementarity between the two countries.
"In the future, efforts will be made to further promote normalized cross-border electricity trading, meet the trading needs such as electricity transmission from Laos to China's Yunnan, from China's Yunnan to Laos, and from Laos to China's Guangdong, and facilitate the optimal allocation of energy resources in the Lancang-Mekong region," said Li Minhong, marketing director of China Southern Power Grid.
Construction of the interconnection project began in late February last year. Spanning a total length of 177.5 km, the transmission line includes a 145-km Chinese section and a 32.5-km Lao section.
New China-Laos power link expands transfer capacity 30-fold, boosts electricity trading
