Single-use plastic bags banned at stores

A shopper puts groceries into a reusable bag at a discount store in central Seoul, Monday, when the new regulation on banning plastic bags took effect after a grace period. /Yonhap

By Bahk Eun-ji

The government has now imposed a complete ban on single-use plastic bags at grocery stores and large-sized supermarkets, in an effort to reduce plastic pollution and encourage the reuse of recyclables.

The Ministry of Environment said Monday the measure was going into effect following a three-month grace period.

Discount stores, department stores, shopping malls and supermarkets larger than 165 square meters in size should not provide single-use plastic bags to customers but offer recyclable containers, cloth or paper bags, or plastic trash bags.

Violators will be subject to a maximum fine of 3 million won ($2,650).

But plastic bag packaging will be allowed for wet, moisture-containing food such as tofu, fish, shellfish and meat, as well as products that can melt like ice cream and certain vegetables.

Smaller-sized mom-and-pop stores, traditional markets, and bakeries can still provide single-use plastic bags but only with a charge ― free provision will be prohibited.

The ministry said it expects the nation to reduce the use of plastic bags by around 2.2 billion pieces per year.