The impetus to establish sustainable resource circulation in the Republic of Korea led to the enactment of the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources, known as the Recycling Act, in 1992. The law introduced the Deposit-Refund System (DRS), emphasising producer responsibility in promoting resource efficiency. Producers are mandated to place a deposit equivalent to the recycling cost of their items, which will then be refunded based on the volume of materials they recycle in that particular year.
A comprehensive amendment to the Recycling Act rreplaced the Deposit-Refund Scheme with an extended producer responsibility (EPR) system in 2002. The government aimed to enhance producer engagement in managing their products’ waste by enforcing mandatory recycling measures, rather than offering economic incentives for compliance. While producers bear the legal obligations of recycling waste, the Korean EPR system requires responsibility sharing among stakeholders, including governments and consumers.
The Recycling Act of 2002 laid the groundwork for Korea’s current EPR system, targeting packaging materials and products including lubricants, batteries, and tyres. The Fundamental Act of Resource Circulation was promulgated in 2016 in a further commitment to sustainable resource circulation. The legislation underscores Korea’s commitment to reducing waste, promoting high-quality material recycling, and minimising reliance on incineration and landfilling.
Table 1. Summary of policies, plans, and regulations regarding EPR for packaging in the Republic of Korea.
Policies, Plans, and Regulations | Promulgation Date | Status |
Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources (Law No. 4538) | 8 December 1992 | In effect, amended |
Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources (Law No. 6653) | 4 February 2002 | In effect |
Fundamental Act of Resource Circulation | 29 May 2016 | In effect |
Obligated Producers
Korea’s EPR system for packaging applies to producers who meet both the criteria based on annual sales and annual production or import weight in the preceding year, as outlined in the table below.
Table 2. The scope of producers and importers subject to EPR obligations for packaging in Korea.
Material | Scope of producers and importers | |||
Annual sales | Annual production or | |||
Manufacturers | Importers | Manufacturers | Importers | |
Carton, metal can, or synthetic resin (plastic; excluding foamed synthetic resin) | More than | More than | More than | More than |
Glass bottle | More than | More than | ||
Foamed synthetic resin (including PSP) | More than | More than | ||
Synthetic resin film/sheet-type packaging material for electrical equipment, etc. | More than | More than | ||
Packaging Items Covered
Packaging items regulated under Korea’s EPR system encompass packaging for products including food and beverages, agricultural/fishery/livestock products, detergents, cosmetics, medicinal products and quasi-drugs made of the following materials.
Metal cans
Including cans made of iron and aluminium
Glass bottles
Paper cartons
Including regular cartons and sterilised cartons (paper cartons with aluminium foil)
Synthetic resin packaging
Including: PET bottles; foamed synthetic resin (excluding polystyrene paper); mono-material polystyrene paper; mono- or multi-material polyvinyl chloride; containers/trays; film sheet packaging and trays; lubricant containers; film material containing air for cushioning or insulation (bubble wrap); film material used to protect fur, clothing, and other textile goods in the laundry business; plastic bags (excluding volume-based waste fee bags); disposable plastic gloves; plastic wrap for food.
Including cans made of iron and aluminum,
Including regular carton and sterilized carton (paper carton with aluminum foil),
Including: pet bottle; foamed synthetic resin (excluding polystyrene paper); mono-material polystyrene paper; mono- or multi-material polyvinyl chloride; containers/trays; film sheet packaging and trays; lubricant container; film material containing air for cushioning or insulation (e.g. bubble wrap); film material used to protect fur, clothing, and other textile goods in the laundry business; plastic bags (excluding volume-based waste fee bags); disposable plastic gloves; plastic wrap for food.
Implementation Mechanism
The implementation of the EPR system in Korea is overseen by the Korea Environment Corporation (KECO), a state-owned enterprise authorised by the Ministry of Environment (MoE) to execute its policies. For EPR for packaging, KECO is tasked with recording production or import data from producers, establishing guidelines for the recycling processes, and monitoring and verifying producers' recycling performance.
In fulfilling their recovery and recycling obligations, producers and importers have the option to establish individual EPR schemes or collectively join a producer responsibility organisation (PRO) – a choice favoured by most producers. The designated PRO for packaging is the Korea Packaging Recycling Cooperative (KPRC), responsible for collecting recycling fees and gathering information and statistics on the production, import, and recycling of packaging materials from its members. However, the KPRC is not directly involved in managing collection and packaging; this responsibility falls to the Korea Resource Circulation Service Agency (KORA).
KORA, a state organisation under the MoE, facilitates waste collection and recycling by coordinating with local governments, waste management organisations (WMOs), and recyclers. Household waste is collected by local governments, while WMOs, selected through public tenders, handle industrial waste collection. KORA uses the recycling fees collected by the PRO to finance waste collection and distribute funds to local governments and WMOs. KORA also issues service provision agreements with recyclers, assigning them tasks related to recycling and marketing recyclates.
KECO conducts quarterly on-site verification of producer performance in collecting and recycling plastic packaging based on reported information. KECO then submits a report on producer compliance with EPR obligations to the MoE. The Korean EPR system for packaging is depicted below.
Implementation Timeline
The annual implementation schedule of Korea’s EPR system is shown in the table below.
Table 3. Implementation timeline of Korea’s EPR scheme for packaging.
Year | Date | Stakeholder | Action |
Previous fiscal year (Y-1) | April 15 | Producers | Submit sales and import record of products and packaging materials to KECO |
April 30 | Producers and PRO | Submit recycling report of the previous year’s implementation | |
July 31 | Government | Announce the recycling charges for producers and cooperatives who fail to meet the recycling mandate | |
August 31 | Producers and PRO | Pay recycling charges to the government | |
December | Government | Announce mandatory recycling rate for each item | |
Current fiscal year (Y) | January 31 | Producers and PRO | Submit recycling plan to fulfill recovery and recycling obligation to KECO |
February | KECO | Approve producers’ and PRO’s recycling plans | |
February | Producers and PRO | Implement recycling plans to fulfill obligation |
Targets
The MoE annually announces the mandatory recycling rate for each item, taking into account factors such as recycling market conditions, collection and recycling capacity, and economic circumstances. The graph below illustrates the mandatory recycling rates for select packaging items from 2008-2024, presented on a four-year basis.
Incentives and Penalties
Producers falling short of meeting their recycling obligations face recycling charges, which are calculated as the recycling cost for the unmet portion plus a 30% surcharge. The government annually issues notifications regarding payment obligations on 31 July, with payments due by 31 August in the same year.
Table 4. Roles and responsibilities under Korea’s EPR scheme.
Responsibility | Upstream | Downstream | |
Product Design | Collection | Recycling | |
Physical responsibility | Producer | Local government | Recyclers |
Financial responsibility | Producer | Producers | Producers |
Updated as of 21 March 2024.
The impetus to establish sustainable resource circulation in the Republic of Korea led to the enactment of the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources, known as the Recycling Act, in 1992. The law introduced the Deposit-Refund System (DRS), emphasising producer responsibility in promoting resource efficiency. Producers are mandated to place a deposit equivalent to the recycling cost of their items, which will then be refunded based on the volume of materials they recycle in that particular year.
A comprehensive amendment to the Recycling Act rreplaced the Deposit-Refund Scheme with an extended producer responsibility (EPR) system in 2002. The government aimed to enhance producer engagement in managing their products’ waste by enforcing mandatory recycling measures, rather than offering economic incentives for compliance. While producers bear the legal obligations of recycling waste, the Korean EPR system requires responsibility sharing among stakeholders, including governments and consumers.
The Recycling Act of 2002 laid the groundwork for Korea’s current EPR system, targeting packaging materials and products including lubricants, batteries, and tyres. The Fundamental Act of Resource Circulation was promulgated in 2016 in a further commitment to sustainable resource circulation. The legislation underscores Korea’s commitment to reducing waste, promoting high-quality material recycling, and minimising reliance on incineration and landfilling.
Table 1. Summary of policies, plans, and regulations regarding EPR for packaging in the Republic of Korea.
Policies, Plans, and Regulations | Promulgation Date | Status |
Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources (Law No. 4538) | 8 December 1992 | In effect, amended |
Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources (Law No. 6653) | 4 February 2002 | In effect |
Fundamental Act of Resource Circulation | 29 May 2016 | In effect |
Obligated Producers
Korea’s EPR system for packaging applies to producers who meet both the criteria based on annual sales and annual production or import weight in the preceding year, as outlined in the table below.
Table 2. The scope of producers and importers subject to EPR obligations for packaging in Korea.
Material | Scope of producers and importers | |||
Annual sales | Annual production or | |||
Manufacturers | Importers | Manufacturers | Importers | |
Carton, metal can, or synthetic resin (plastic; excluding foamed synthetic resin) | More than | More than | More than | More than |
Glass bottle | More than | More than | ||
Foamed synthetic resin (including PSP) | More than | More than | ||
Synthetic resin film/sheet-type packaging material for electrical equipment, etc. | More than | More than | ||
Packaging Items Covered
Packaging items regulated under Korea’s EPR system encompass packaging for products including food and beverages, agricultural/fishery/livestock products, detergents, cosmetics, medicinal products and quasi-drugs made of the following materials.
Metal cans
Including cans made of iron and aluminium
Glass bottles
Paper cartons
Including regular cartons and sterilised cartons (paper cartons with aluminium foil)
Synthetic resin packaging
Including: PET bottles; foamed synthetic resin (excluding polystyrene paper); mono-material polystyrene paper; mono- or multi-material polyvinyl chloride; containers/trays; film sheet packaging and trays; lubricant containers; film material containing air for cushioning or insulation (bubble wrap); film material used to protect fur, clothing, and other textile goods in the laundry business; plastic bags (excluding volume-based waste fee bags); disposable plastic gloves; plastic wrap for food.
Including cans made of iron and aluminum,
Including regular carton and sterilized carton (paper carton with aluminum foil),
Including: pet bottle; foamed synthetic resin (excluding polystyrene paper); mono-material polystyrene paper; mono- or multi-material polyvinyl chloride; containers/trays; film sheet packaging and trays; lubricant container; film material containing air for cushioning or insulation (e.g. bubble wrap); film material used to protect fur, clothing, and other textile goods in the laundry business; plastic bags (excluding volume-based waste fee bags); disposable plastic gloves; plastic wrap for food.
Implementation Mechanism
The implementation of the EPR system in Korea is overseen by the Korea Environment Corporation (KECO), a state-owned enterprise authorised by the Ministry of Environment (MoE) to execute its policies. For EPR for packaging, KECO is tasked with recording production or import data from producers, establishing guidelines for the recycling processes, and monitoring and verifying producers' recycling performance.
In fulfilling their recovery and recycling obligations, producers and importers have the option to establish individual EPR schemes or collectively join a producer responsibility organisation (PRO) – a choice favoured by most producers. The designated PRO for packaging is the Korea Packaging Recycling Cooperative (KPRC), responsible for collecting recycling fees and gathering information and statistics on the production, import, and recycling of packaging materials from its members. However, the KPRC is not directly involved in managing collection and packaging; this responsibility falls to the Korea Resource Circulation Service Agency (KORA).
KORA, a state organisation under the MoE, facilitates waste collection and recycling by coordinating with local governments, waste management organisations (WMOs), and recyclers. Household waste is collected by local governments, while WMOs, selected through public tenders, handle industrial waste collection. KORA uses the recycling fees collected by the PRO to finance waste collection and distribute funds to local governments and WMOs. KORA also issues service provision agreements with recyclers, assigning them tasks related to recycling and marketing recyclates.
KECO conducts quarterly on-site verification of producer performance in collecting and recycling plastic packaging based on reported information. KECO then submits a report on producer compliance with EPR obligations to the MoE. The Korean EPR system for packaging is depicted below.
Implementation Timeline
The annual implementation schedule of Korea’s EPR system is shown in the table below.
Table 3. Implementation timeline of Korea’s EPR scheme for packaging.
Year | Date | Stakeholder | Action |
Previous fiscal year (Y-1) | April 15 | Producers | Submit sales and import record of products and packaging materials to KECO |
April 30 | Producers and PRO | Submit recycling report of the previous year’s implementation | |
July 31 | Government | Announce the recycling charges for producers and cooperatives who fail to meet the recycling mandate | |
August 31 | Producers and PRO | Pay recycling charges to the government | |
December | Government | Announce mandatory recycling rate for each item | |
Current fiscal year (Y) | January 31 | Producers and PRO | Submit recycling plan to fulfill recovery and recycling obligation to KECO |
February | KECO | Approve producers’ and PRO’s recycling plans | |
February | Producers and PRO | Implement recycling plans to fulfill obligation |
Targets
The MoE annually announces the mandatory recycling rate for each item, taking into account factors such as recycling market conditions, collection and recycling capacity, and economic circumstances. The graph below illustrates the mandatory recycling rates for select packaging items from 2008-2024, presented on a four-year basis.
Incentives and Penalties
Producers falling short of meeting their recycling obligations face recycling charges, which are calculated as the recycling cost for the unmet portion plus a 30% surcharge. The government annually issues notifications regarding payment obligations on 31 July, with payments due by 31 August in the same year.
Table 4. Roles and responsibilities under Korea’s EPR scheme.
Responsibility | Upstream | Downstream | |
Product Design | Collection | Recycling | |
Physical responsibility | Producer | Local government | Recyclers |
Financial responsibility | Producer | Producers | Producers |
Updated as of 21 March 2024.
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