(1) Reasons for Proposal
As plastic waste is increasing and uncertainty in the recycling market is deepening since COVID-19, it is becoming increasingly necessary to decrease the use of disposable products including plastics and promote the recycling of plastics.
As such, this Partial Amendment aims to expand the scope of disposable products subject to regulation (Article 10)
and introduce the labeling of products using regenerated raw materials and obligatory purchases by public institutions in an effort to promote recycling (Articles 33-2 and 33-3 newly inserted).
Plus, it also aims to improve some shortcomings observed in the enforcement of the current law such as the extended producer responsibility scheme (Articles 9-2 and 29 amended)
(2) Major Provisions
A. Define a shift from plastic containers to materials other than plastics (Articles 9-6 and 41 amended)
Set a target percentage of plastic products and containers imported and sold in plastic product and container importing/selling entities above a certain size.
B. Expand the scope of disposable products subject to regulation (Article 10)
Add accommodation business (with ≥50 rooms) to types of businesses subject to regulation, include funeral ceremony sites even if they have cleaning facilities only, and prepare the basis that regulates the use of disposable products provided unnecessarily when food is provided, sold, or delivered.
C. Add treatment costs to charges under the extended producer responsibility scheme (Article 29)
Expand factors to calculate charges under the extended producer responsibility scheme from recycling costs to treatment costs.
D. Newly insert thickness, color, and packaging weight ratio as criteria for extended producer responsibility packaging materials (Article 9-2)
Newly insert thickness, color, and packaging weight ratio as criteria for extended producer responsibility packaging materials in addition to structure and ease of recycling.
E. Label products using regenerated raw materials and introduce obligatory purchases by public institutions (Articles 33-2 and 33-3)
Allow for labeling the percentage of regenerated raw materials in recycled products and obligate local governments to purchase such labeled products above a certain percentage.
