Starting next year, plastic toys and electrical and electronic products will be subject to recycling. Producers that made the toys and electronics will be responsible from product collection to recycling. In cafes, starting the year after next, when disposable cups are used, the price of the cup will be listed separately on the receipt.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment held a public forum on a comprehensive anti-plastic plan at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 23rd and unveiled a government proposal with these details. After gathering opinions from industry, academia, civil society, and the public, the government plans to finalize the comprehensive anti-plastic plan early next year.
Behind the government's acceleration is the rapidly growing volume of plastic waste. Currently, the amount of waste plastic generated domestically is increasing by 7.1% each year. The recycling rate is only 64%, and the remaining 36% is incinerated or landfilled. Through this plan, the government set a goal of reducing the amount of household and business sites waste plastic by more than 30% compared with the forecast by 2030.
First, the government will raise the waste disposal charge levied when recyclable plastic is landfilled or incinerated. The current charge of 150 won per kilogram is one-fourth the European Union's (EU, 600 won). Products made with recycled materials will have the charge reduced or exempted, and higher charges will be imposed on single-use items with larger environmental burdens.
Cafes will adopt a "separate cup pricing system." When disposable cups are used, the price of the cup will be shown separately on the receipt so consumers can check it themselves. All straws will be restricted in use and provided only upon consumer request. In delivery and parcel services, the use of single-use items will in principle be reduced, and a shift to multi-use services will be encouraged.
The government will also push to introduce "ecodesign," which applies environmental standards from the product design stage. Like the European Union, only products that meet eco-friendly design standards would be allowed onto the market. The use of microplastics will be banned in cosmetics, toothpaste, and laundry detergents, and measures to manage microplastics across their entire life cycle will also be reviewed.
Minister Kim Seong-hwan of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said, "Because plastic is the issue closest to everyday life, frank opinions and innovative proposals from the public need to come together," adding, "We will move toward a sustainable nation through the comprehensive anti-plastic plan."