South Korea’s Ministry of Environment pre-announces updates long-term recycling target rates for product and packaging material for FY2027

The Ministry of Environment of South Korea issued a legislative notice of amendment to the Notice on the Long-Term Recycling Target Rates for Products and Packaging Materials for FY2027. It is mandated to set long-term recycling target rates by product and packaging material type under Article 17 of the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources (hereinafter "Resource Recycling Act") and Article 22, Paragraph 3 of the Presidential Decree regarding the implementation of the Resource Recycling Act. Given the current situation of the increased usage and shipment of non-standard containers, this amendment intends to establish long-term recycling target rates for used returnable containers subject to the deposit system (i.e., glass bottles) based on whether standard containers are used or not. The effective date of this notice is January 1, 2024.