The Ministry of Science and ICT's Postal Service will build a collection system based on the post office's home pickup parcel service so households can dispose of used mobile phones stored at home without leaving the house.

The Postal Service said on Sept. 1 it signed a business agreement with the Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment and E-Soonhwan Governance to build a safe collection system for used mobile phones based on home pickup parcel service.

The agreement was designed to safely recover and recycle used mobile phones and to promote a circular economy. The Postal Service will build a collection system using the post office's home pickup parcel service so people can dispose of used mobile phones more conveniently.

The Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment will provide administrative support and promotion to boost the recovery and recycling of used mobile phones. E-Soonhwan Governance will support operations and expanded participation in recovery and recycling through the Nanum Phone collection platform for used mobile phones. The service is planned to be launched this year after linking related systems.

Previously, people had to enter submission information on Nanum Phone and then visit a convenience store or contact a private courier directly to dispose of used mobile phones. Under the new system, they will be able to request post office home pickup parcel service directly from the Nanum Phone submission screen. Once a pickup is requested, a postal worker will visit the applicant's home and collect the used mobile phone in person.

Used mobile phones collected through the post office network will be sent to designated recycling companies. Personal information stored on the device will be destroyed, batteries will be separated, and the phones will be recycled into circular raw materials through processes including shredding, grinding and melting.

Park In-hwan (박인환), head of the Postal Service, said, "We will enable people to dispose of used mobile phones conveniently and safely anywhere through the nationwide post office network and actively participate in the national circular economy policy."