Expansion of Single-Use Plastic Regulations Starting Tomorrow... "Confusion Due to Overlapping World Cup Cheers"

Convenience Store Plastic Bags and Restaurant Paper Cups Banned
Concerns Over Conflicts Amid Increased Users During World Cup Season

A customer is using a reusable bag at the convenience store CU. (Photo by BGF Retail)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Starting from the 24th, the sale of single-use plastic bags will be generally prohibited at convenience stores, and the use of paper cups or plastic straws in restaurants will also be banned. Since this regulation coincides with the first group stage match of the World Cup, concerns are rising that confusion may arise on the ground.

According to the Ministry of Environment on the 23rd, plastic bags cannot be used at convenience stores and other general retail businesses and bakeries, just like at large-scale stores with an area of 3,000㎡ or more and supermarkets of 165㎡ or more, where the system is already in effect. Plastic used to prevent raindrops from falling off umbrellas is also banned in large-scale stores. Paper cups, plastic straws, and stirring sticks cannot be used in restaurants and other food service establishments or collective catering facilities, and plastic cheering items are also subject to regulation at sports facilities. This expansion of single-use item restrictions is the first time since the 2019 measure that banned plastic bags in large stores that the list of restricted single-use items has been increased.

Convenience store headquarters have taken proactive measures since last month, such as limiting franchise stores' orders for plastic bags and posting notices. Plastic bags will be replaced by paper bags, volume-based bags, and reusable bags. Paper bags cost 100 to 250 won, volume-based bags (Seoul standard) are 250 won for 10L and 490 won for 20L, and reusable bags cost 500 won. However, after the Ministry of Environment suddenly announced on the 1st that a one-year grace period would be granted, many franchise store owners have reportedly requested to be allowed to reorder plastic bags.

Since World Cup street cheering is scheduled, the number of convenience store users is expected to increase, raising concerns about disputes over plastic bags. Kim, a part-time worker met at GS25 in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, complained, “Honestly, who brings a shopping basket when they come to buy a few items? They should be told to buy more expensive bags than before, but it’s obvious without even seeing. Many customers will complain.”

Confusion is also expected regarding World Cup cheering items. Although the use of synthetic resin cheering items is banned at sports facilities, street cheering is not considered a sports facility. Even if it is a sports facility, cheering items personally brought by spectators are not subject to regulation.

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