Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.
Gov't scraps plan to ban disposable cups
Disposable paper cups are stacked at a restaurant in downtown Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Jung Da-hyun
Criticism grows over backpedalling on waste reduction efforts
The Ministry of Environment will not ban the use of disposable paper cups at restaurants and cafes, it announced, Tuesday.
It will also not enforce regulations on the use of plastic straws at cafes and plastic bags at convenience stores for the time being.
The decision focuses on withdrawing the regulation prohibiting the use of disposable paper cups in food service businesses such as restaurants.
The ministry explained that the decision took into consideration the position of small business owners who face the burdens of high prices and interest rates.
However, the move may face a backlash for its retreat from the policy of reducing the use of disposable items, which has been a serious national issue. Some argue that it may be a "vote-catching policy" in anticipation of the upcoming general elections in April next year.
Regarding the prohibition of disposable plastic straws and stirring sticks in food service businesses, the environment ministry has essentially extended the guidance period indefinitely.
Regulations on using disposable items were implemented on Nov. 24 last year, and the environment ministry came up with a one-year guidance period during which no fines of up to 3 million won ($2,292) could be imposed for violations.
"Even during the one-year guidance period, we couldn't reach sufficient social consensus within the community,” Vice Environment Minister Lim Sang-joon said.
"It is not the government's duty to burden small business owners and self-employed individuals who are already suffering from rising costs, high prices and difficult economic conditions with additional regulations.”
As an alternative to the paper cup prohibition, the ministry recommends the continued use of reusable cups and an expansion of recycling efforts. Paper cups are coated on the inside for waterproofing, but they can be separated relatively easily for recycling.
The end date for the guidance period on the prohibition of plastic straws and stirring sticks has not been determined. The environment ministry stated that it will end the guidance period when the quality of alternative products improves and prices stabilize.
In contrast to the decisions to withdraw the prohibition of disposable paper cups and extend the guidance period, the guidance period for the prohibition of plastic bags in comprehensive retail and bakery businesses has already been extended, as that regulation is already being implemented smoothly without the need for strict enforcement.
The Ministry of Environment has not provided adequate alternatives to reducing paper cup waste. While it suggested "separate collection" as a way to increase the recycling rate for paper cups, it has not presented effective methods to encourage separate collection, which is currently rarely practiced.
Regarding the improvement in quality and price stabilization of alternatives to plastic straws, the ministry only mentioned plans to have discussions with businesses, falling short of a concrete proposal.
The environment ministry has offered to support the costs of using reusable items for small business owners and provide preferential treatment in supporting the self-employed through cooperation with relevant ministries, but these actions are still in the planning stages and require collaboration with other government agencies.