Countries from all over the world with severe waste disposal problems are spurring the inhibition of plastic usage. For instance, India banned 19 single-usage plastic goods such as straws, spoons, and cups, starting this month in July. In South Korea, where plastic restrictions are just emerging, plastic regulations will be expanded in November and straws will be strictly prohibited in South Korea.
Starting from the 24th of November, South Korea will expand the scope of plastic regulations which will prohibit disposable plastic bags, cups, straws, and plastic umbrellas in cafes, restaurants, marts, and many other places. This movement, however, towards plastic regulations isn’t innovative. At the 5th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), which was held this March of 2022, made an unanimous agreement to restrict all plastic use around the world by 2024.
(Photo from Nature World News)
In fact, the ministry of Environment will revise the plastic usage following a meeting with Hyundai, Posco, Lotte, and LG - Korean big companies. They decided to use recycled plastic as fuel and as raw materials instead of producing more plastics. And as a result, Korea was able to recycle 54% of its plastic in 2020. Although plastic usage is still a huge problem around the world, we are taking baby steps towards our goal in plastic reduction.
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