Policy suggestions to reduce plastic waste generation South Korea 2021

As of July 2021, a survey conducted in South Korea showed that over 45 percent of respondents thought that policy measures such as restraining corporate over-packaging were important to reducing plastic waste generation. Only around 7.5 percent of respondents were in favor of strong government control regarding waste generation. 

Encouraging entrepreneurs to embrace sustainability

Respondents have expressed a strong demand for the industrial sector to take measures to reduce the usage of plastic waste. The increase in the volume of waste generated has been noticeable, reaching over 197 million tons in 2021. Specifically, the industrial and construction sectors have accounted for over 80 percent of total waste generated. As a result, some are advocating for companies to address plastic waste by reducing over-packaging and adopting environmentally-friendly alternatives. 

Delivery culture and plastic usage

The recommendation of using alternative materials to prevent environmental pollution has impacted the food delivery culture in the country. The greater use of take-out services, particularly among households, and the frequent ordering of delivery services following the COVID-19 pandemic have been significant factors in the higher levels of plastic waste in recent years. Although the country has increased its use of plastic and delivery services, individuals have been trying to reduce their use of non recycling packaging. One such initiative is the zero-waste ‘Yong-gi-nae campaign,’ which has aimed to protect the environment by avoiding the use of plastic since 2020. The campaign encourages people to use their own reusable container instead of a single-use plastic one for take-out food.