Gimhae City in Gyeongnam Province has begun inspections of excessive packaging, repackaging, and separate disposal labeling of Chuseok holiday gift sets.
On the 10th, Gimhae City announced that until the 20th, it will focus on inspecting Chuseok gift sets sold at seven major supermarkets in the area.
The city will check whether standards such as packaging space ratio and number of packaging layers are being followed, in accordance with regulations on the material and method of product packaging.
For products required to have separate disposal labeling, the city will verify whether appropriate separation and disposal icons are displayed.
Holiday gift sets are being sold at a large supermarket in Gimhae City, Gyeongnam. Photo by Gimhae City Hall
If a product is suspected of excessive packaging?such as exceeding the packaging space ratio of 10-35% by item or more than one or two layers of packaging per item?the city will request submission of a packaging inspection report or notify the manufacturer to undergo an inspection by a specialized agency.
If these measures are not followed or if violations of relevant standards are found, a fine of up to 3 million KRW may be imposed.
Lee Chikyun, head of the Resource Circulation Division, stated, "To prevent environmental pollution and resource waste caused by excessive packaging of holiday gift sets, voluntary efforts from manufacturers and participation from citizens are necessary." He added, "Please comply with separate disposal labeling to guide consumers in proper waste separation and help increase the recycling rate of resources."
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