Background A business operator received a notice of acceptability for the interim waste disposal business and the interim waste recycling business to install an incineration facility and a recycling facility. The local government revoked the notice of acceptability for the interim waste disposal business and rejected the application for extension of the notice of acceptability for the interim waste recycling business due to non-implementation of mini environmental impact assessment and significant changes in environmental conditions. Work Scope Legal review and analysis on the timing of mini scale environmental impact assessment consultations, etc. Analyzing the environmental impact of the project on air quality through scientific and statistical data Organizing strategic fact-finding applications through detailed analysis of the incineration facility and surrounding environment Representation in administrative proceedings and civil petition for grievance Results and Implications ELPS analyzed and reviewed the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, argued and proved that the timing of mini environmental impact assessment consultation cannot be considered as 'before a notice of acceptability' unlike environmental impact assessment, submitted scientific and statistical analysis of the environmental impact of the project on air quality, and obtained a fact-finding reply from the Ministry of Environment stating that the environmental impact of incineration facilities on air quality is not significant compared to other projects. In addition, we also obtained a decision from the Civil Rights Commission, which contributed to the prompt relief of the operator's rights.

ELPS provides in-depth legal advisory and litigation representation services related to waste management and resource circulation. Attorneys Shin-young Chu, Ye-in Lee, Sung-ho Jung, and Hye-jin Song from ELPS attended the 2023 Spring Academic Conference of the Korea Society of Waste Management to update the latest discussions and R&D cases related to waste disposal and resource circulation. At the 2023 Spring Academic Conference, various sessions were held on diverse topics related to waste and resource circulation, such as thermal treatment and energy recovery of waste, organic waste treatment and resource utilization, energy economics, and climate change. Furthermore, during the conference, a study tour program was provided, allowing participants to visit the Busan Environmental Corporation's Haeundae Business Division/Energy Business Department and Busan Green Energy, where they could directly observe facilities such as household waste incineration facilities, sewage sludge drying facilities, and district energy supply facilities, and listen to explanations about the processes from industry practitioners.