The Ministry of Environment announced a comprehensive plan to transition to a circular economy.
Haven't you ever felt a pang of unease every time you threw away a disposable item? We all hope that reducing waste and reusing it will become easier in our daily lives. This time, Ministry of Environmentannounced by circular economy conversion Comprehensive measuresIt offers a concrete solution: a big picture that connects the entire process from production to consumption and disposal, ensuring a continuous flow of resources.
This article provides a simple explanation of the key directions of the comprehensive plan and practical tips for everyday life. It outlines at a glance what changes businesses and local governments will see, and how consumers can participate. circular economy, Ministry of Environment, Comprehensive measuresLet’s take a look at the new trend of change with the keyword “ .”.
Why We Need a Circular Economy Transition
Until now, a linear structure—producing in bulk, using quickly, and discarding easily—has been the norm. This approach has revealed its limitations, increasing costs and the environmental burden. Rising waste disposal costs and increased carbon emissions have also been unavoidable.
A circular economy is a system that considers reuse and repair from the design stage, and recycles resources back into raw materials after use. This process creates jobs and new industries, and can also lower corporate costs in the long term.
Key Directions of the Comprehensive Plan at a Glance
The Ministry of Environment's latest plan aims to improve the entire process, from production and distribution to consumption and disposal. Its key feature is its integration of systems, infrastructure, data, and technology to enhance effectiveness.
- Traditional methods – Recycling is focused on post-processing, with weak linkages between all stages.
- Transition strategies – integrated from design to recovery. Strengthening reuse and high-value recycling.
- Conventional method – frequent mixed discharge and mixed treatment due to information disconnection
- Transition Measures – Transparent History Management through Digitization and Standardization of Product Information
- The old way – costs and responsibilities are distributed
- Transition Measures – Enhancing Sustainability by Strengthening Producer Responsibility and Linking with Public Procurement
Changes in the production and design stages
Eco-friendly design that facilitates product disassembly and simplifies materials will expand. Standards are expected to be strengthened to ensure that even details like labels, adhesives, and colors do not impede recycling.
Incentives to increase the use of recycled materials will also be prepared. The Extended Producer Responsibility system will be improved to encourage designs with high recyclability, and actual recovery and recycling performance will be reflected in evaluations.
- Adoption of single material priority design and decomposable joint structure
- Ink and labels are selected based on ease of removal.
- Disclosure of recycled raw material blending ratio and use of performance-based incentives
- Review of modular design for repair and upgradeability
Practice at the distribution and consumption stages
The use of reusable and standard containers will be expanded. Collection infrastructure and deposit return procedures will be streamlined to ensure refill stations and reusable packaging demonstrations become commonplace.
Education and guidance on waste separation are provided, ranging from physical to digital. Consumers can more easily participate through QR code guidance and in-store refill services.
- Priority access to refill services at nearby stores
- Check the standard container usage and collection bin location in advance.
- Compliance with basic separation and disposal procedures, including removal of foreign substances and lid separation
- Choosing reusable products first and repairing them is the first step to extending their use.
From waste disposal to resources
New technologies, such as advanced sorting and chemical recycling, will be gradually introduced. Plastics will be valued through pyrolysis oil and raw material processing, while metals and glass will be recycled through high-quality recycling.
Reliance on incineration and landfill will be gradually reduced, and the burden on unavoidable waste will be reduced by increasing energy recovery efficiency. Regional collection centers and app-based collection reservations will also be expanded.
Building a foundation of data and trust
Product information will be digitized. By linking materials, components, repair history, and recycling information, the entire supply chain will be able to communicate in the same language.
A verification system will also be established to prevent exaggerated advertising. Key information, such as recyclability and recycled content, will be disclosed according to standard criteria to enhance trust.
When data is connected, designs become smarter, recalls become faster, and consumer choices become more accurate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will change immediately when the comprehensive plan is implemented?
In the short term, reusable containers and refill services will increase, and instructions for separating and disposing waste will become clearer. In the medium to long term, product design and recycling systems will improve together.
What preparations should companies begin with?
Prioritizing recycling-friendly design standards and establishing a plan for procuring recycled materials is crucial. An internal system for quantifying recovery and recycling performance must also be established.
How can consumers participate?
Visit your local refill store and make reusable cups a part of your daily routine. Following basic recycling rules and actively utilizing standard container collection bins will greatly improve your chances of success.
How can greenwashing be reduced?
Standards and verification procedures will be introduced for environmental labeling and advertising. Information on recycled content and recyclability will be disclosed based on the same standards, facilitating comparison.
Does it help small business owners too?
The introduction of shared recycling infrastructure and standardized containers reduces individual burdens. Switching to eco-friendly packaging and recycling services offer opportunities to enhance store competitiveness.
Key Summary first, Ministry of Environment Comprehensive measuresIt connects design, distribution, and recycling into a single flow. Second, it expands reuse and high-value recycling and strengthens data-driven trust. Third, it builds an infrastructure that facilitates participation for both consumers and businesses.
Our choices conserve resources and reduce costs. Reusing one container today becomes tomorrow's standard. circular economy Let's start the transition together with small practices in our daily lives.