South Korea retracts ban on disposable cups at cafes, restaurants
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The announcement came as the grace period for the policy was coming to an end.
PHOTO: PEXELS
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SEOUL - South Korea on Tuesday withdrew its ban on paper cups
The announcement by South Korea’s Ministry of Environment came as the grace period for the policy was coming to an end.
A ban on single-use products, including paper cups, plastic straws and stirring sticks, was part of disposable product regulations implemented on Nov 24, 2022.
The ban came with a one-year grace period. By the end of the grace period, a fine up to 3 million won (S$3,100) would have been imposed for violations.
The grace period for plastic straws and stirring sticks will be extended indefinitely.
The ministry emphasised its commitment to nurturing a cultural shift towards the voluntary adoption of alternatives to plastic bags, including biodegradable bags, reusable shopping bags and standard plastic garbage bags, instead of the imposition of fines.
It said its decision was in consideration of hardships faced by small business owners as they grapple with elevated prices and high interest rates.
Vice-Environment Minister Lim Sang-jun said “banning paper cups had imposed the burden of hiring additional personnel to wash reusable cups or installing washing machines”, adding that South Korea is the only country that regulates the use of paper cups.
“It is not the government’s duty to impose another burden on small business owners and self-employed people when they are already suffering from difficult economic conditions,” he said.
The Environment Ministry pointed out that paper straws, an alternative to plastic straws, are 2½ times more expensive but have lower consumer satisfaction.
“The use of plastic straws and stirring bars will be banned when the quality of replacement products is improved and the prices stabilise,” said Mr Lim, without clarifying a specific timeframe.
The ministry claimed that it considered various situations, including the economic burden on consumers. But criticism of the massive retreat on eco-friendly policies seems inevitable.
For instance, while the ministry recommended a more rigorous separation of paper cups for improved recycling efficiency as a means to mitigate repercussions of the policy reversal, it did not provide specific strategies to incentivise the separation of waste.
Some commenters have speculated the move was intended to attract more votes in the general election in April 2024. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
