◀ Anchor ▶
Two days ago, the government suddenly announced a policy to effectively relax regulations on disposable products, causing great confusion in the market.
Although there are voices of welcome, especially from cafes and restaurants, companies that make eco-friendly products such as paper straws are embarrassed, saying that they are about to go bankrupt.
Today, in the National Assembly, the ruling and opposition parties criticized the Ministry of Environment’s policies with one voice, saying they were inconsistent.
This is reporter Ryu Hyun-jun.
◀ Report ▶
A cafe industry exhibition held in Seoul.
Many industry insiders visited the event venue.
However, one booth displaying paper straws is deserted.
[종이빨대 업체 대표]
″As I was passing by, I heard a lot of people asking why they were displaying paper straws and saying we could just use plastic straws. actually.”
The government’s unexpected relaxation of regulations on disposable products.
In just two days, contracts for about 4 million paper straws were canceled, and the damage alone is estimated at 100 million won.
[종이빨대 업체 대표]
″We decided to stay with our employees until this week and find a way to provide unemployment benefits to all but one person in the office.″
The relaxation of regulations announced to ease the burden on small business owners has caused damage to other small business producers of eco-friendly products.
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In the National Assembly, the ruling and opposition parties pointed out the problems with the government’s recent deregulation with one voice.
[임이자/국민의힘 의원]
″Support measures must be provided for those who have entered eco-friendly businesses. No matter what policy is made by the government, there is always a principle of trust.”
[이은주/정의당 의원]
″In fact, the government announced that it would ban plastic. To produce eco-friendly products, I borrowed money to run the factory. “I was struck by lightning overnight after seeing the Ministry of Environment’s announcement.”
Minister of Environment Han Hwa-jin acknowledged the confusion but explained that regulations had not been eliminated.
[한화진/환경부 장관]
″We apologize for any confusion.″
[한화진/환경부 장관]
″<일회용품 사용 규제 백지화 하는 겁니까> The reduction policy continues and regulations continue.″
The Ministry of Environment issued an explanation last night, explaining that this is not a policy retreat but a rationalization.
Regarding the plastic straws, they added, “We will place them in a place where customers cannot see them and provide them only upon request.”
But the level of criticism is rising.
Environmental groups held a press conference today and claimed that the Korean government, which aims to lead the international community in reducing plastics, is pursuing the exact opposite policy domestically.
[유혜인/환경운동연합 활동가]
″(The international community) seemingly acts as if it is leading the plastic agreement, but in reality, it is going backwards by withdrawing the disposable cup deposit system and the system to reduce the use of disposable products, rather than reducing the production stage.″
Restricting the use of disposable products and reducing waste is also a national task of the Yoon Seok-yeol government.
Doubts are growing about the government’s will to push forward with the regulation of disposable products.
This is Ryu Hyun-jun from MBC News.
Video coverage: Lee Sang-yong, Lee Won-seok / Video editing: Kim Gwan-soon
2023-11-09 11:26:40
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