Incheon Upcycle Eco Center: Circular Economy Education and Item Sharing Reach 320,000 People

The Incheon Upcycle Eco Center in Michuhol-gu has become the hub for circular economy education across Incheon, reaching over 320,000 people since it opened in 2017. The center trains about 40 instructors each year, who then visit schools including island communities like Baengnyeongdo and Yeonpyeongdo where access to such programs is limited. Lessons cover waste sorting, zero waste, and reusable design. Early classes generated extra waste from craft kits, so the center shifted to reusable tools and small-scale projects with items that can actually be used afterward. The center also runs the Michuhol-gu Item Sharing Center, where residents can rent things like large mixers, ladders, and window cleaners for about 1,000 won. That service started in late 2019 and has become a practical example of reducing consumption and storage burden. It shows how circular economy principles can move from classroom material to a daily service residents actually use.