Partial Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Resource Recycling Act Approved at the Cabinet Meeting
'Super Absorbent Polymer Ice Packs' Added to Waste Charge Targets
Unit Price Reflecting Charge: Super Absorbent Polymer 199 KRW · Eco-friendly 128 KRW
[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Starting from 2023, the price of ice packs using super absorbent polymer (gel form) as a refrigerant will become more expensive than products using water or starch. This is because a waste charge of 94 KRW per super absorbent polymer product will be imposed. Although the purpose is to increase the use of eco-friendly ice packs, there are concerns that small and medium-sized sellers who find it difficult to bear the increased costs will add the increased packaging costs to the product selling price, ultimately passing the waste charge on to consumers.
On the 18th, the Ministry of Environment announced that the 'Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Resource Recycling Act' containing this content was approved at the Cabinet meeting.
The main point of the amendment is to add 'ice packs containing super absorbent polymer as a refrigerant' to the current six types of items subject to waste charges (insecticide and toxic substance containers, antifreeze, gum, cigarettes, diapers, plastic products). Accordingly, waste charges will be imposed on shipments and imports of super absorbent polymer ice packs from 2022. The actual imposition is expected to take place around April 2023. The charge is 313 KRW per kilogram, which amounts to 94 KRW per 300g ice pack, the common size of ice packs.
An official from the Ministry of Environment said, "Super absorbent polymer contains a lot of moisture, making incineration difficult, and it takes more than 500 years to naturally decompose when landfilled. When discharged into sewage, it causes microplastic leakage into rivers. The price of absorbent polymer ice packs does not include proper disposal costs such as incineration and landfill, making it difficult to induce a switch to eco-friendly materials or reuse."
According to the Ministry of Environment, the average selling price of a 300g super absorbent polymer ice pack is 105 KRW, and the average selling price of an eco-friendly ice pack is 128 KRW. When the waste charge is imposed on super absorbent polymer ice packs, the total price becomes 199 KRW, making it more expensive than eco-friendly products.
The distribution industry pointed out that imposing waste charges on super absorbent polymer ice packs could eventually lead to product price increases. One industry insider said, "Large retailers either absorb the increased packaging costs themselves or switch to eco-friendly products. However, small and medium-sized companies will have no choice but to reflect this in product prices." In fact, companies like Coupang and Market Kurly have already fully switched to eco-friendly ice packs for fresh food delivery.
The usage of super absorbent polymer ice packs is decreasing. According to a survey by the Korea Consumer Agency on 32 businesses selling food online over the past two years, the total usage increased by 28.3% from 22.81 million units in 2019 to 29.26 million units in 2020. Among these, super absorbent polymer usage decreased by 19.9% from 7.32 million to 5.86 million units, while eco-friendly usage increased by 51.1% from 15.49 million to 23.40 million units.
Seo Young-tae, Director of the Resource Recycling Division at the Ministry of Environment, said, "Once this amendment is enforced, waste charges will be imposed on super absorbent polymer ice packs, which will significantly promote the transition to eco-friendly ice packs. We will actively seek cooperation from ice pack manufacturers and distributors to revitalize the production and consumption of eco-friendly refrigerant ice packs."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
