South Korean Duty-Free Stores to Use Paper Shopping Bags Instead of Plastic

South Korean duty-free shops have decided to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags

South Korean duty-free shops have decided to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags and cushioning materials by replacing them with paper. They plan to use plastic shopping bags only for some products, such as food, and replace logistics boxes with ones that have a greater cushioning effect.

Duty-free shops will limit the use of plastic shopping bags to purchases of heavy goods such as liquor and kimchi, considering that customers and tourists travel long distances.

12 duty-free shops in Korea participated to sign

The Ministry of Environment signed a voluntary agreement with the Korea Duty Free Association and 12 duty-free shops to reduce disposable products and packaging at Shinsegae Duty Free’s Myeongdong store in Jung-gu, Seoul, on Friday afternoon.

Lotte Duty Free, Shinsegae Duty Free, Shinsegae Duty Free, Hyundai Department Store Duty Free, HDC Shinsegae Duty Free, Jeju Tourism Organization, Gyeongbokgung Duty Free, Grand Duty Free, DM Duty Free, Busan Duty Free, City Duty Free, and Ulsan Duty Free participated.

The duty-free industry in Korea has set a goal to reduce the amount of plastic cushioning used

The duty-free industry in Korea has set a goal to reduce the amount of plastic cushioning used in distribution and sales by more than 50% by 2027. From 1,133 tons as of 2019, the industry plans to reduce the amount of plastic cushioning used to 567 tons by 2027.