Plastic bag ban at retailers to take effect Jan. 1

Single-use plastic bags will be banned at more than 2,000 discount store chain outlets and 11,000 supermarkets from Jan.1, 2019. / Korea Times file

By Kang Seung-woo

Starting 2019, single-use plastic bags will be banned at discount stores and large-sized supermarkets, according to the environment ministry, Monday, as plastic pollution has been emerging as a serious environmental problem.

The ban comes as part of a revised law on conserving resources and encouraging the reuse of recyclable waste.

More than 2,000 discount store chain outlets and 11,000 supermarkets that are 165 square meters or larger will be subject to the new regulation. They used to sell single-use plastic bags, but even selling them will be banned.

Instead of offering the plastic bags at checkout, retail establishments are advised to use recyclable containers, cloth shopping bags or paper bags, otherwise they will face fines of up to 3 million won ($2,700).

However, stores will still be allowed to offer thin-film plastic bags without handles that are used mainly to contain wet item such as fish, meat and other similar merchandise.

Along with the retailers, 18,000 bakeries will also be prohibited from providing plastic bags for free. Instead, they will charge fees for them in accordance with the revision.

Despite the ban, the ministry expects there will not be a huge inconvenience to consumers as substitute containers have been in wide use for years.

Since 2010, discount retailers have offered recyclable bags and paper boxes in cooperation with the environment ministry.

The ministry is also planning to reduce the use of plastic bags at laundry shops.

According to the Ministry of Environment, each Korean used 414 plastic bags in 2015 on average, equal to emitting 20 kilograms of greenhouse gases.

“It is necessary to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags to preserve the environment for future generations,” a ministry official said, adding that the ministry will continue to make efforts to develop a more eco-friendly consumption culture.