Two years ago, in November 2022, the Ministry of Environment announced that it would regulate the use of disposable products in cafes and restaurants. So for a while, citizens had to use unfamiliar paper straws instead of plastic straws. However, these regulations did not last long. In November 2023, just a year after the regulation began, the Ministry of Environment announced that it would suspend regulations on disposables. The main reason was the burden of self-employed people due to disposable regulations

Specifically, the people who are in favor of freely using disposable products gave their opinions such as, “If we don't use disposable products, it will cost more, such as facilities and manpowe”, and “There will be conflicts between self-employed people and consumers who are more familiar with disposable products”. On the contrary, there were opinions like “The cost of landfilling and incineration of disposable products would outweigh the damage caused by introducing regulation.” and “We should regulate the use of disposable products to protect the environment.” With such various opinions on disposables regulations, I want to look at the issue in detail.

Status of use of disposables in Korea and public perception

First of all, how many disposables are used in Korea? According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the average annual plastic usage per person by country was 221 kg in the U.S., and 114 kg in European countries. Korea produces 69 kg of plastic waste similar to Japan. As about half of the plastics produced worldwide are made in OECD member countries, Korea also seems to have a
great responsibility for the use of disposables as an advanced country.

Koreans already feel responsible for the use of disposable products and know that we should reduce it. According to a public awareness survey conducted by the Ministry of Environment, 96.8% of the people thought the plastic waste problem in Korea was serious, and 94.2% agreed that disposables should be reduced. In addition, Koreans already recognize that regulations on the use of disposables are needed to reduce the amount of disposable trash. In order to solve the plastic waste problem, both 45.6% and 43.7% of the general public and experts answered that they would be reinforcing regulations on plastic use, followed by improvements in recycling infrastructure (24.7% and 23.2%) and development of alternatives to plastic (18.5% and 3%).

Like this, we are well aware of the need to reduce the use of disposable products, but as mentioned in the introduction, why are we adopting a lukewarm attitude to the current government’s plastic garbage policy -relaxing rather than regulating-? I think the biggest reason is that the immediate inconvenience when disposables are regulated is bigger than the environmental pollution problem that is approaching in the future. As a ‘consumer’, I am recognizing the need to reduce the use of disposables to protect the environment. But I’m already used to the convenience of disposable products, and habitually use disposable products. As a ‘self-employed person’, I prefer disposable products which are cheaper than multi-use products, and also because customers do not complain about it. Last year, the government said it would suspend regulations on disposables and allow local governments and citizens to implement them autonomously for the time. However, if the use of disposable products is left to personal conscience and choice, the disposable garbage problem will worsen and flow to an inescapable situation.

European developed countries’ stance on the use of disposables

This time, I would like to introduce a situation of European countries that regulate the use of disposables without retreating, in spite of the inconveniences that people experience when regulating disposables, unlike us. As the EU(European Union) introduced strong plastic regulations in July 2021, in Germany, all disposable items such as tableware, spoons, and wet tissues are restricted as well as straws and plastic bags. As a result, self-employed people in Germany may face the difficulty of using eco- friendly spoons worth about 5 euros (about 7,000 won) instead of regular plastic spoons worth about 1 euro (about 1,400 won) in 50 sets. Nevertheless, the German government and the EU have not withdrawn their plastic policy and adhere to their original position. Because their governments know people are easily deceived by the cheapness and convenience of disposables, they strongly regulate disposable products.

The German government also focuses on constructing social sympathy on regulations. According to an interview with the Hankook Ilbo, German self-employed people said paper straws and eco-spoons were inconvenient, but also replied, “I know that each and every one of us should work hard for a better future.” It means, they are aware that regulations are necessary for the future. Based on such public support, European countries are gradually expanding their scope of regulation. Some (Spain, Italy, Germany, etc.) impose a tax as a fine on companies that use plastics that cannot be reused. France has also banned the use of disposable products in fast food restaurants since last year.

Korea should also follow the example of advanced European environmental countries so that disposable regulatory policies can be established as soon as possible. Fortunately, the government is still trying to regulate disposables. The government is planning to implement the Resource Recycling Act, which prohibits the free provision of disposable goods in hotels as of March 29th this year. Some consumers are already worried about the inconvenience, but the government should take responsibility for persuading such people and keep up with European environmental countries. Greenpeace, an international environmental organization, also said, “The Korean government should come up with alternatives such as preparing plastic alternatives to settle the system, not to give up the system.”

Reduce the use of disposables through zero-wasting activities

In order to reduce the use of disposable products, of course, the government’s firm regulations will be necessary, but also active individual practice is essential. I would like to introduce ‘Zero-Waste’ as one of the methods of personal practice. Zero-waste means the principle of reducing the use of disposable goods. It ultimately directs to prevent any garbage from being reclaimed or thrown into the sea, through using recyclable materials. Carrying tumblers, not receiving disposable spoons or forks when delivering, not using plastic bags at the supermarket are ways to practice zero-waste activity.

(Image source(in order) : Caihong, Delta air lines, Clipartkorea)