No Place for 'Paper Packs' in Recycling Stations...Seoul City to "Gradually Expand Collection Bins"

[Financial News] It has been found that more than 8 out of 10 'paper packs' are not classified as recyclables and are instead thrown into 'general waste', contributing to increased incineration and landfill volumes. From the citizens' perspective, even if they want to recycle, there are often no collection bins in residential areas, forcing them to participate in recycling programs by going to community centers. This also leads to many cases where people find it easier to just put the packs into standard waste bags. As the capacity for incineration and landfill reaches its limits, Seoul City plans to gradually increase the installation of collection bins starting with each district and encourage recycling.
■"Paper Packs Will Continue to Increase"…Need for Recycling Increases
According to Seoul City on the 24th, last year's national 'paper pack recycling rate' was only 13.9%. The remaining 86% were incorrectly classified as waste paper or thrown away as general waste. Of the 75,847 tons of paper packs produced over the past year, only 10,612 tons were collected for recycling.
Even if paper packs are separately collected at home, they often have nowhere to go at the local recycling station. This is because many places do not have a 'paper pack' section next to the plastic, can, and glass bins. Even if citizens want to recycle, there is no place to accept them.
Some districts collect paper packs through community centers as part of a 'resource recycling program'. This involves exchanging a certain amount of paper packs for household items like toilet paper. However, unlike being able to immediately dispose of trash at home, collecting a large amount makes participation difficult. Typically, to exchange for two rolls of toilet paper, you need to collect about 1kg of paper packs, which is more than 100 packs of 200ml or 50 packs of 500ml.
As a result, more than 8 out of 10 packs are classified as 'general waste' and end up in standard waste bags.
Hong Su-yeol, director of the Resource Recycling Society Research Institute, said, "Although sterilized packs are mainly used for milk and juice, the use of paper packs is expected to increase as the 'de-plasticization' trend extends to food containers," adding, "Even if the current proportion of paper packs is small, we need to create an environment where recycling is possible to prepare for the future."
■"Adding a Section to the Recycling Station is Not Easy"
Seoul City will first place 350 dedicated paper pack collection bins in 80 apartment complexes (35,000 households) in Seocho District and start a 'paper pack resource recycling pilot project'. It is expected that the pilot project will allow for the recycling of 105 tons (an average of 8.75 tons per month) of paper packs annually.
The Ministry of Environment previously established guidelines for 'separation discharge labeling' in 2021, introducing a composite material (coating and lamination) label and requiring paper packs to be labeled separately as general or sterilized packs. If the separation mark on the outside of a beverage container is labeled as 'sterilized pack', it must be separated and disposed of apart from paper. However, it is only a guideline and lacks enforceability, which has been criticized.
A Seoul City official explained, "Just as increasing the transparent PET bottle section increased the burden on residents, the installation of paper pack collection bins must also be done with the consent of management offices or residents," adding, "It may take time to obtain consent from each residential area and district." The plan is to gradually obtain consent for the installation of collection bins starting with Seocho District and expand the collection areas.
Director Hong emphasized, "As the use of paper packs increases, more companies have acquired the technology to recycle both general and sterilized packs if they are collected," adding, "As the infrastructure is being established, continuous guidance and promotion are needed to increase resident participation." 
chlee1@fnnews.com Lee Chang-hoon Reporter