Han Hwa-jin, Minister of Environment, stated on the 21st regarding the controversy over the withdrawal of regulations on plastic straws and paper cups, "We are changing the approach to softly establish the regulations in a nudge-type (behavior change inducement) manner instead of coercive regulations in the field."
Minister Han held a press meeting at the Government Sejong Complex in the afternoon and said, "Reducing disposable products is a national agenda, and there is no change in the direction or principles of the Ministry of Environment." He added, "Since public awareness of environmental protection has significantly increased, I believe that the nudge-type campaign will show sufficient effects in a few months."
Earlier, on the 7th, the Ministry of Environment announced the withdrawal of the ban on paper cup usage in cafes and restaurants and indefinitely extended the guidance period for restrictions on plastic straws. This measure by the Ministry of Environment has caused a decrease in sales for environmental groups and companies producing paper straws as plastic alternatives, as well as increased confusion among consumers.
On the afternoon of the 21st, Han Hwa-jin, Minister of Environment, held a press meeting with reporters at the Government Sejong Complex and stated that reducing disposable products is a national agenda, and there is no change in the Ministry of Environment's direction or principles.
Regarding companies affected by this measure, Minister Han explained, "After holding a meeting with small business owners together with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups the day before, we are continuously discussing support measures such as public procurement to ensure there are no issues with exhausting current inventory." The day before, Minister Han proposed a plan to provide low-interest loans to manufacturers of alternatives such as paper straws if their sales or operating profits decrease by more than 10% at a small business owners' meeting on disposable product management held at a coffee shop in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
Minister Han elaborated, "It is not that consumers prefer plastic straws, but there are complaints that the quality of alternatives still falls short of consumer satisfaction," adding, "We will decide to maintain the status quo until the quality of alternatives is upgraded to some extent."
He continued, "Regulations are more effective when implemented after conditions have matured to some extent rather than when conditions are not yet formed," and said, "I believe that consumers will make choices and natural changes will occur in the field accordingly."
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