Law Restricting Single-Use Items to Take Effect on November 24
GS25 Stops Ordering Single-Use Plastic Bags Since Last Month
The ban on the use of disposable plastic bags in the convenience store industry is just over a month away. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] The convenience store industry is busy preparing measures as the ban on single-use plastic bags approaches in about a month. Some store owners express concerns about having to recommend customers use volume-based bags, which are more expensive than existing bags, or paper bags that carry a high risk of loss.
According to Yonhap News on the 15th, GS25 stopped ordering single-use plastic bags last month. Earlier, GS25 had informed store owners since early July about the suspension of single-use bag orders at each store and the operation plans for alternative bags such as paper, non-woven fabric, and volume-based bags.
CU has also been gradually restricting orders for single-use bags since August and encouraging the use of reusable bags at each store. From this month, CU has completely stopped ordering single-use bags and is selling alternatives such as volume-based bags, reusable shopping bags, and paper bags. Seven Eleven has also been gradually reducing plastic bag orders since last month.
This is a proactive response by the industry in accordance with the "Enforcement Rules of the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources," which will take effect from the 24th of next month. The amendment, prepared by the Ministry of Environment at the end of last year to promote eco-friendly consumption, includes expanding the scope of restrictions on single-use items and strengthening compliance requirements by industry.
According to the amendment, in about a month, the use of single-use plastic bags will be restricted in general retail businesses, including convenience stores. The ban on single-use bags, previously limited to large stores over 3,000㎡ and supermarkets over 165㎡, will be expanded. The Ministry of Environment plans to start enforcement immediately upon the amendment’s implementation and has announced that violators will be fined up to 3 million KRW.
In response, the convenience store industry has taken early action. Additionally, many franchise stores have quickly posted notices banning the sale of plastic bags and replaced them with volume-based bags following the headquarters’ measures.
Currently, about 95% of GS25 stores nationwide are reported to handle volume-based bags. For single-use bags, only remaining stock is being used up. According to Yonhap News, the number of plastic bags distributed to franchise stores nationwide has decreased from about 8 million per month to about 3 million this month alone.
However, some concerns have been raised ahead of the amendment’s enforcement. Although the headquarters has taken proactive measures, the lack of a separate guidance period may cause confusion in the early stages of implementation.
Moreover, many store owners worry about conflicts with customers due to insufficient promotion and awareness. When the pre-ordered plastic bags run out, they must recommend volume-based or paper bags. In particular, volume-based bags are more expensive than existing bags, and since they cannot be used by residents outside the relevant area, some customers are expected to resist.
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