Since the ban on landfill for municipal solid waste in South Korea's metropolitan area began in January, over 530,000 tons of waste has been contracted for private handling this year. Environmental groups held a press conference on the 25th to highlight that this amount represents an average of 44,251 tons per month, and when combined with prior years' data, the total could reach 1.45 million tons of private consignment. The press event included statements from various environmental organizations addressing the implications of relying on private contractors for waste management, particularly focusing on the environmental impacts of waste incineration due to lack of local processing facilities.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment reported on December 12 that the amount of municipal solid waste generated in the metropolitan area for the year was 247,000 tons, of which 20,980 tons (85%) were managed publicly while 3,720 tons (15%) were handled privately. Of this, a mere 1.9% (4,800 tons) was sent to private firms in the Chungcheong region. The report indicates that total waste generation for 2023 in the metropolitan area amounts to 3.74 million tons, with an average monthly figure of 312,000 tons.

Moreover, the organizations noted that the handling of privately consigned waste is predominantly through incineration, with rates of 73.2% for Gyeonggi, 100% for Incheon, and 54.4% for Seoul. Specifically, 100% of the incinerated waste consigned from Seoul and differing rates from surrounding areas highlight an alarming trend where solid waste management does not promote recycling, as only 43% and 27% of outgoing waste in Seoul and Gyeonggi region, respectively, are directed toward recycling facilities. The organizations called for significant social discussions regarding how municipal waste is managed and the implications of current practices on the environment and public health.