The ‘Plastic-Free Comprehensive Plan’ refers to a cross-ministerial action implementation plan established by the South Korean government to fundamentally reduce the amount of plastic generated by managing the entire life cycle of plastics, including production, distribution, consumption, and recycling. This plan aims not only to reduce waste but also to transition toward a Circular Economy for the realization of carbon neutrality.
As of January 2026, the announced policy presents a direction for structurally reducing plastic use by moving away from the past post-treatment-centered approach, including expanding the use of recycled raw materials at the production stage, reducing packaging materials in the distribution process, and strengthening upstream regulations. The government has set a target of a 30% reduction based on the projected 2030 waste plastic emission of 10.12 million tons, and accordingly has proposed policy tasks such as mandating the use of 10% recycled raw materials in PET bottle production and making plastic waste charges more realistic.
[Plastic-Free Comprehensive Plan Ⓟ ESG.ONL/ESG Today]
The distribution and consumption stage includes the introduction of the recently trending ‘separate cup billing system.’ This is a measure to raise consumers’ cost awareness by separately indicating the price of disposable cups on receipts. As for plastic straws, which have frequently caused confusion, the plan is to maintain the 2023 policy of indefinitely extending the guidance period while inducing voluntary reduction through restrictions on permanent in-store placement and guidelines to provide them only upon request.
The currently announced content is a policy direction containing the government’s mid- to long-term orientation, and it is expected that the implementation date and phased implementation schedule will be specified for each item after the final draft is confirmed. Accordingly, at the practical level, securing a preparation period in accordance with the detailed implementation roadmap to be announced in the future, as well as the timing of the system’s introduction, is expected to become an important variable.
by Editor O