South Korean environmental groups survey single-use plastic usage, call for stronger regulations

A recent survey on single-use product usage in South Korea revealed that the use of paper cups and straws—items excluded from the government’s list of regulated disposable products—remains at a serious level. Critics say the rollback of government regulations is hindering progress in reducing single-use items, and demands for stronger action have resurfaced. Sixteen environmental organizations across South Korea conducted the survey from June to July 2025, engaging around 350 citizens to assess the use of disposable products at 2,353 food service establishments nationwide. The surveyed businesses included cafes, general restaurants, entertainment bars, nightclubs, catering services, and confectionery shops, all of which are defined under Article 21(8) of the Presidential Decree of the Food Sanitation Act.