"Let's Achieve 'Zero Disposable Products'... Government Out of Sync"

Ministry of Environment Recommends Public Sector to Reduce Use of Disposable Products

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] While the Moon Jae-in administration is promoting the goal of zero single-use items such as paper cups and plastics in daily life by 2027, the government, which intends to take the lead starting from the public sector, is still openly using single-use products. As this practice has not even been established in the public sector, there are calls for practical measures.

On the 13th, in a large conference room of a ministry within the Sejong Government Complex, paper cups were covering bottled water. Additionally, dozens of takeout coffee cups were placed at the entrance.

The person in charge of the event said, "Before the event starts, since single-use items might be caught on broadcast cameras, please temporarily place the paper cups and water bottles under the table and then bring them back up."

Despite the Ministry of Environment issuing guidelines last month recommending reduced use of single-use items to each ministry, improvements have not been made. Since there are no legal penalties for violating these guidelines, it is insufficient to achieve actual results.

In November of last year, the Ministry of Environment announced plans to first reduce the use of single-use items in public sector meetings, events, and public facilities. According to the guidelines, the use of disposable cups and PET bottles is prohibited in offices, and the use of reusable items is encouraged. They also recommended drinking water using tumblers.

An official from the Ministry of Environment’s Resource Circulation Policy Division said, "We send cooperation letters to ministries regularly, but since there is no legal effect and no monitoring or penalties, who would strictly follow it?"

Regarding this, the event organizer explained, "Personally, I could not prevent people from bringing single-use items such as paper cups, so they were provided."