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Plastic Waste in South Korea |
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by Soyeon Cho | 23-12-2018 17:38
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Humans have consumed massive amounts of plastic over the past several decades by producing millions of plastic products that ended up accumulating as plastic waste. This phenomenon has especially become more severe of a problem in South Korea due to the trends of increased packaging and disposable products, including pre-made instant food such as ramen, rice, and soup. This cycle of plastic is causing many problems in South Korea, affecting both the environment and society. These trends result in the disposal of large amounts of plastic waste that contribute the climate change, air and water pollution, and more. This report will investigate the significance of plastic pollution in South Korea in light of recent government policies regarding plastic.
To demonstrate the magnitude of this global and local issue, “every year, we use up to 5 trillion disposable plastic bags,” and “nearly 50% of plastics used are single-use products such as bottles, plastic bags, packaging, straws, stirrers, spoons, and forks” (India Times). In particular, according to a 2016 survey by Statistics Korea, the amount of plastic consumed per capita in South Korea was 98.2 kg, which is the most in the world (even more than the US, with 97.7 kg per capita) (Kyunghyang Shinmun). The problem has recently come to light after, in 2017, China announced that it would not accept imports of plastics exported from other countries like South Korea, leading to South Korea’s plastic staying in the country and accumulating in landfills due to the recycling companies being unwilling to recycle the added plastic (Lim). Afterward, the nation faced the challenge of moving towards a more sustainable model of waste disposal and reduction of plastic, since plastic waste began to accumulate in the landfills and the streets. Also, in the rural areas without proper recycling systems, plastic (such as polyethylene that makes up vinyl) has continually been left in empty fields and cause problems with underground waterways, unable to be biologically broken down (Kim). These problems have highlighted the importance of sustainable waste disposal systems that not only preserve the ecosystem but also continue as long-term solutions. Plastic waste has many consequences, due to its harmful chemicals, and one significant impact is pollution. The disposal of plastic can result in air and water pollution, which release toxic chemicals and microplastic that find their way into the ecosystem and its organisms, including humans. Therefore, many species of plants and animals are affected by the phenomena caused by improper disposal of plastic waste. One solution to this problem is to raise awareness about the saying “Reduce, reuse, and recycle," because, while it might not directly change the flow of plastic on a larger scale, it would break the cycle of plastic within our community. Working to reduce plastic would cut down on the amount of plastic consumed most directly, while other methods such as recycling and reusing have external costs and limitations. Reducing plastic can be done by using eco-friendly alternatives that can replace plastic products, such as reusable bottles instead of disposable ones, paper straws instead of plastic ones, and more. Based on this analysis, it seems like there are two options: watch the world change… or make change itself. Therefore, let’s all try to promote alternatives to plastic! Goswami, Urmi A. “An 8.3-Bn Tonne Problem: How to Manage Plastic Waste.” The Economic Times, Economic Times, 1 June 2018, economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/paper-/-wood-/-glass/-plastic/-marbles/our-plastic-pollution-problem/articleshow/64420276.cms. “South Korea Is One of the Biggest Consumers of Disposable Products: Are We Going to Stay That Way?” The Kyunghyang Shinmun, The Kyunghyang Shinmun, 5 Apr. 2018, english.khan.co.kr/khan_art_view.html?code=790101&artid=201804051842377&medid=enkh#csidx7ec2c152953abfebf5f6b4be097dc68 . Kim, Da-sol. “Plastic Waste a Problem in Rural Korean Areas.” The Korea Herald, Herald Corporation, 31 Mar. 2016, www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20160331000899. Lim, Sun-young, et al. “Inside the Chaos of Korea’s Plastic Waste Crisis.” Korea JoongAng Daily, JoongAng Ilbo, 6 Apr. 2018, koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3046555. |
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5 Comments
Hello Soyeon
'watch the world change?? or make change itself. Therefore, let??s all try to promote alternatives to plastic! '
I have seen these plastic issues coming up in the portal recently and these problems should be issued with the right amount of attention.
It is our duty to be responsible for the result of what we have caused and truly it is the time that we make our own changes.
Thanks for the report!
Posted 27-12-2018 23:51
Hello Soyeon, briefly speaking, thanks for introducing this problem to our E-gen families though it is a bit political issue and sensitive topic to deal with :)
Accumulated forms of problems definitely blow up at the end and we used to forget the sequence : the worst case can happen or appear to all of us. However, we have forgotten about the fact beneath our waste management system and foreign trade related with it, eventually problem that arose from the bottom hit directly on us.
We have to gradually prevent problems and get adopted to 'changed' system, but we were not able to do so.
Thanks for mentioning plastic waste problem in South Korea, and hope other E-gen families learned a lot from our case.
Posted 27-12-2018 22:26
Hello, Soyeon Cho, NAMASTE FROM NEPAL
Hope you are fit fine and healthy
Merry Christmas
I wish for you beautiful days ahead
Regarding plastic pollution, it is one of the biggest problems in today modern world, we cannot live without plastic but me must reuse, recycle and rethink about plastic
I recently conducted a campaign, that is ECPAC 'Together We Can'
In this campaign i conducted awareness campaign in 4 different schools of my home town in topic 'Beat Plastic Pollution'
To reduce plastic pollution, we must work from every part of the world,
We must conduct awareness program and government must conduct program related to plastic pollution in grass-root level
Thank You so much for this beautiful and informative report.
Posted 24-12-2018 21:47
Thank you Soyeon for your report highlighting the serious problem of plastic pollution in South Korea.
It is sad to know that South Korea stands first followed by USA.
Plastic Pollution is a huge problem and we must take the theme of this environment day 'Beat Plastic Pollution: If you can't reuse it, refuse it' seriously in our life and apply it.
Government must also find proper alternative of plastic. In most of the towns the plastics are banned for carrying goods or they must be used in the limited amount and quality decided by the government.
If we Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Plastic We can contribute towards minimize its pollution and everyone must feel responsible for it. Companies who are responsible for its large production and consumption must find its best alternative.
If we become responsible, We can 'Beat Plastic pollution'.
Keep writing great reports and Merry Christmas to you.
Posted 24-12-2018 00:53
Hey there Soyeon!
An Early Festive Greetings to You!
It is so alarming that the total plastic consumption has bridged the trillion mark. It shous us that we as a people still have not learned from all the awareness and knowledge transfer campaigning that has been laid forth through out the year.
Moreover, I think that it is completely uncalled for that the recycling companies in South Korea are refusing to take in the extra load of plastic now that China has closed its ports.
As an international united nation, we should all try to help each other where necessary and learn from previous mistakes. Like you mentioned, plastic takes a long while to degrade, so it poses as a big problem for waterways.
'Macroplastics' has been the most talked a out issue, aside chemical release and air/water pollution. There has never been such a bigger threat to wildlife life and humans as today.
I like the solution you put down. The 3 R's is a old but very effective method.
Lastly...'watch the world change?? or make change itself. Therefore, let??s all try to promote alternatives to plastic!', I absolutely concur with you on that one. And I choose to be the change.
An all well written report. Thank you for the update!
Yours sincerely
R.
Posted 23-12-2018 23:48