Plastic ban in South Korea
Plastic restriction order in South Korea
The Ministry of Environment of South Korea said on November 23, 2020 that from November 24, convenience stores will be prohibited from selling plastic bags, and restaurants and other places will be prohibited from using plastic straw, disposable tableware and cups. However, during the one-year transition period, those who violate the new rules will not be punished temporarily.
Since 2019, South Korea has banned the sale of disposable plastic bags in malls with a building area of no less than 3000 square meters and supermarkets with an area of no less than 165 square meters. The new regulations have been introduced, adding convenience stores, cake shops and other retail venues, which is the first time in South Korea to expand the scope of application of the plastic ban in recent four years.
Previously, all convenience stores in South Korea had stopped providing plastic bags for free, but offered them to customers at a unit price of about 100 Korean won (about 0.53 yuan).
According to the new regulations, from the 24th of this month, large stores such as department stores will ban drip proof disposable umbrella plastic covers; Disposable utensils such as paper cups, plastic straws and plastic stirring rods will be prohibited in restaurants, canteens and other catering service places; Plastic aids will be banned in sports facilities.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Environment decided to set a one-year transition period to expand the scope of the plastic ban order earlier this month, because it was to "reduce the burden on store operators". Some chain convenience stores have been preparing for the upgrade of the plastic ban since last month.
