H. Yoo
Research expert covering South Korea
Plastic waste in South Korea - statistics and facts
The world is estimated to generate over one billion metric tons of plastic waste by 2060, and this trend seems no different in South Korea. The plastic waste generated from the country's busy and convenience-oriented lifestyle has expectedly created concerns over sustainability and environmental pollution. While the country's developed petrochemical industry has incorporated some solutions for dealing with plastic waste, actions within the household still heavily influence the state of plastic waste in the country.
Plastic waste recycling in South Korean households
The frequent use of food delivery and ready-made meals in South Korea have made large food manufacturers, such as CJ CheilJedang, closely associated with the overuse of single-use plastic waste in the country. The recycling rate of households can be observed by comparing the actual waste separation rate to the rate of waste processed for recycling. Over 50 percent of household waste categorized as synthetic resin, which includes plastic items, is separated for recycling as opposed to being disposed in pay-as-you-go mixed emissions. In processing, around 45 percent of plastic and synthetic resin waste from households is estimated to be recycled, with the remaining waste sent to landfills or incinerated.Plastic waste sales and processing
In the domestic waste industry, recyclable plastic waste is categorized under either synthetic polymer or synthetic resin waste depending on the material and can be sold to facilities specialized in processing them. Over the years, the volume of waste synthetic polymers from business sites sold in South Korea has increased considerably, as has waste synthetic resins from households. While plastic waste can be converted to energy via incineration, it can also be processed through chemical recycling. Indeed, large companies such as GS Caltex have developed ways to produce renewable oil and plastic raw materials to be reused from decomposing plastic waste.Outlook on plastic waste in South Korea
Lately, attention has shifted toward the role of governments and manufacturers in reducing unnecessary or extra packaging. As awareness of the plastic issue has grown, so has the appeal of environmentally friendly products and packaging to the public. While plastic waste exports from South Korea have declined considerably since China banned plastic waste imports, over 44,000 metric tons of plastic waste were still exported from the country in 2023. Without substantial change, South Korea's consumerist culture will likely continue facing the issue of plastic waste in the near future.
