The quantity-based trash bags secured by Seoul's 25 districts is estimated to cover about four months. As concerns grow that the supply of quantity-based bags, which use naphtha as a raw material, could be disrupted due to the Middle East war, the Seoul city government said there is no issue with inventory.
According to the Seoul city government on the 25th, as of that day the inventory of quantity-based trash bags across the 25 districts totaled about 69 million. Considering that an average of 550,000 are used per day, roughly a four-month supply has been secured.
Quantity-based trash bags have been designated as one of the items of concern for potential supply chain shocks stemming from the Middle East war. They are polyethylene (PE)-based products that use the petrochemical feedstock "naphtha," produced by refining crude oil. On the 24th, the government designated quantity-based trash bags, diesel exhaust fluid for vehicles, hydrogen for transportation, liquefied natural gas (LNG) for district energy, and key wind and solar components as managed items.
In response, some raised concerns about a potential shortage of quantity-based trash bags. The Seoul city government said, "There is sufficient inventory, so there is no need to hoard." Unless each district amends its local government ordinance, the price of 490 won for a 20L (liter) quantity-based bag will be maintained, meaning it will not be linked to consumer prices.
The Seoul city government plans to continuously monitor inventory and raw material procurement and manage supply in cooperation with the districts. On the 19th, it urgently asked the districts to submit the current status of inventory and raw material procurement for quantity-based bags. The city said it will review additional response measures, including securing raw materials, in cooperation with the central government if needed.