Recycling of 'Transparent PET Bottles for Food → Food Containers' May Become Possible as Early as Next Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 28th that they have established recognition standards allowing transparent PET bottles used for food to be recycled into food containers, in order to expand the recycling of waste plastics.

Accordingly, starting from January next year, recycled raw materials collected through the Ministry of Environment's 'Food-use Transparent PET Bottle Separation and Collection Project' that meet the safety standards set by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety can be manufactured into food containers. Only separately collected transparent PET bottles used for food containers can be utilized as recycled raw materials for food containers, and they must comply with the safety evaluation recognition standards prepared by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety have agreed to divide their roles by ministry and establish a dual verification system to ensure safety. The Ministry of Environment will prepare facility and quality standards from collection and sorting to intermediate raw materials (flakes) to recognize the recycling process of transparent PET bottles into food container raw materials. The facility and quality standards include facility standards that collection, sorting, and recycling companies must comply with, and quality standards for intermediate raw materials (flakes). The Ministry of Environment will also prepare all related matters concerning raw materials used in food containers.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is responsible for establishing and reviewing recycling usage standards that expand the use of physically recycled final raw materials prohibited for use in food containers and granting recognition. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has conducted surveys of overseas cases in the United States, Europe, and other regions, as well as expert consultations, and on the 28th publicly announced the draft revision of the 'Standards and Specifications for Instruments and Containers/Packaging,' which includes procedures for recognition to confirm safety evaluations of recycling standards for food containers and final recycled raw materials.

Following the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's announcement, the Ministry of Environment plans to promote follow-up measures such as revising the Enforcement Rules of the Waste Management Act and establishing related recycling standard notifications, aiming to build a system for using physically recycled raw materials in food containers starting in 2022.

Seo Young-tae, Director of the Resource Recycling Division at the Ministry of Environment, said, "It is very meaningful that through collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, we have found a solution to the increasing waste plastic problem during the COVID-19 situation," adding, "We will strive to ensure that there is no harm to public food safety and that the recycling system can be revitalized."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.