Due to improper and mismanaged waste plastics sorting Korea currently imports 2.2 million tons of waste plastics annually from overseas. To address this problem, the Ministry of Environment has enforced regulations regarding waste sorting of transparent waste plastics after December 25, 2020. One of the representative companies’, Heineken Korea, has launched the #페트라떼(Petratte) campaign. This campaign means unlabeling and discarding PET bottles. It is a campaign actively carried out via social media, which aims to reduce plastic (PET) bottle waste. JBNU Globe reporters will introduce steps that lead to an eco-friendly life.

Various Eco-Friendly Symbols

Have you ever seen this mark? This mark is attached to various products, such as glass, paper towels and even ‘plastic’. Although regulatory standards are still insufficient compared to other countries, Korea is taking a step in the right direction by attaching eco-friendly marks to synthetic resin in accordance with EL-721 standard.

However, the problem is that the environmental symbol is not attached to products that can be recycled effectively. Even if the environmental symbol is attached, these products are not dealt with well after being discarded. According to the Office of SHIN BORA, the post-management workforce is very effective compared to the large number of environmental mark-certified products. This inefficiency makes it difficult to oversee whether or not their standards are being met.

Now let's take a look at the other symbols. Does the recycling process end as soon as the trash is placed into the recycling bin? No, it does not. Waste must be further divided by colors. This is because each materially requires a different recycling method.

Additionally, there are people who still don't know the meaning of recycling marks, so the mark system is not working well. Statistics show that the recycling rate is decreasing despite the recycling mark is being attached.

Because environment mark is virtually useless, the rate of recycling has not increased. This has led to Korea importing discarded PET bottles from overseas in order to extract high quality resources from plastic. This is an inefficient process that causes environmental pollution and economical loss.

Fortunately, Korea has made an effort to reduce the negative impact on the environment while safeguarding itself against economic losses. First, Korea encourages the use of bioplastics. If a product is biodegradable, meaning it can decompose naturally, the certification mark is given.

Second, the government has implemented a new policy to separate transparent plastic bottles. So, it is important that we pay attention to this symbol. Following proper waste sorting regulations not only increases the recycling rate, but also enables the extraction of high-quality raw materials.

This means that we will no longer need to rely on imports to secure high quality raw materials. However, according to one media source, many people are not aware of the new policy for discarded PET bottles.

In 2021, the government announced that it will implement these Jeonju citizens' actions, such as enacting energy conservation and proper waste sorting regulations that are in line with the 2050 carbon neutrality declaration announced by the government.

Nowadays, various enterprises, especially convenience stores, turn into ‘essential-environment’ beyond the eco-friendly life. CU has replaced plastic bags with eco-friendly bags - an industry first. It has also changed all of the disposable products of paper and dishware to eco-friendly ones. 7-eleven has begun using biodegradable material called PLA (an environmentally friendly polylactide) in conventional plastics packaging. Moreover, GS Retail is actively participating in the waste sorting of colorless and transparent PET bottles.

In spite of these efforts, mandatory waste sorting of colorless PET bottles is not well known by most people, and many new consumers are experiencing confusion. It is important to remember that individual practices in everyday life are very significant. Even if it you do not make a big effort to protect the environment, small changes like the use of eco-friendly products, can bring about a big change. In addition to our ‘practice,’ various campaigns are expected to adopt more eco-friendly practices in 2021.

By Ku Halin, So Woobin, Shin Soul Reporters