Jongmyungrae "Reducing Disposable Products, Public Sector Should Take the Lead... Citizens Must Also Practice"

Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae / Sejong = Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae stated on the 21st, "This year will be the inaugural year for a paradigm shift in waste policy," adding, "We will fundamentally overhaul the system and vigorously promote waste reduction."

He conveyed his intention to lead by example starting with the public sector while urging a change in public awareness and practice.

On the afternoon of the same day, Minister Cho held a tea time with the press corps at the Government Complex Sejong and announced that transitioning waste policy, including reducing disposable products, would be a key project this year.

He emphasized that illegal and abandoned waste, commonly referred to as "trash mountains," involves structural problems and that a shift in public awareness and consumption behavior must precede any solution.

In this regard, the Ministry of Environment had set a goal to reduce disposable items such as paper cups and plastic containers by more than 35% by 2022.

Minister Cho said, "Changing and practicing waste disposal and consumption behaviors based on citizens' self-awareness must go hand in hand to properly reform waste policy," and appealed to the public to reduce disposable products, minimize excessive packaging, and separate waste during the Lunar New Year holiday.

He also expressed his determination to make reducing disposable products a daily practice starting with the public sector. Minister Cho stated, "For campaigns to be effective at the national level, the public sector must take the lead," adding, "We are ordering a reduction in disposable product use at meetings and events hosted by public institutions, local government festivals, and sports events."

Minister Cho shared an anecdote from attending a Cabinet members' workshop two weeks ago.

He said, "Disposable items like PET water bottles were present, so I remarked, 'The public sector adopted reducing disposable products as a policy task to lead by example, but it seems the practice is not being followed today,'" and added, "Then, at the end of the workshop, the Deputy Prime Minister of Education suggested, 'Let's lead by example starting with the Cabinet members,' which seems to have led to an agreement among government ministries."

Minister Cho stated, "We are encouraging the public sector to lead by example, such as not placing PET water bottles in official government vehicles," and urged, "I hope this Lunar New Year holiday will be an important starting point for the public to practice reducing disposable products."