OPINION: Why environmental policies keep failing consumers

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SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Protecting the environment is no longer optional. In the face of climate change and resource depletion, the government's role is clear. The key question is no longer whether to act, but how. South Korea's evolving policies on paper cups and straws including the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy's proposed charges on disposable cups demonstrate how environmental regulations can be inadequate when they overlook consumer acceptance.

Paper straws, introduced in November 2022 as a substitute for plastic straws, drew complaints that they ruined the taste of drinks and became soggy quickly, while also raising hygiene concerns. The government then indefinitely postponed banning disposable cups and plastic straws in 2023, only to shift policy again late last year by allowing them to be provided only at customers' request. These reversals left consumers skeptical of environmental regulations, which they came to perceive as inconsistent and burdensome.

The government now plans to charge for disposable cups by requiring businesses to display separate beverage prices, one with a disposable cup and one without, offering customers a discount if they bring their own cups or tumblers.

The goal is to encourage the use of tumblers and other reusable cups, but critics question whether it reflects how people actually consume beverages, as not everyone plans their drink purchases in advance or wants to carry tumblers throughout the day.

Moreover, discounts for using tumblers already exist, yet many consumers still opt for disposable cups. It remains unclear whether the proposed cup price of 100 to 200 won would be sufficient to change consumer behavior.

While the plan seeks to reduce single-use plastic cups by encouraging the use of personal cups, questions remain as to whether tumblers are always environmentally beneficial.

Tumblers reduce waste only through consistent, long-term use. If abandoned after minimal use, they actually generate more resource waste and carbon emissions than the disposable cups they were meant to replace.

There is little evidence that the behavioral changes this policy seeks will actually produce meaningful environmental benefits.

Another concern is how this affects consumers and small business owners. If the cost of a cup, previously included in the drink prices, is displayed separately, consumers are likely to perceive it as a price increase.

These policies reflect that policymakers have prioritized reducing plastic use without adequately assessing consumers' tolerance for inconvenience.

Environmental regulation is necessary, but inconsistent policies and ineffective rules can fail to earn public trust and may not achieve environmental goals. The key to solving environmental issues lies not in mandatory regulations, but in earning public support.

* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
Jeong Suk-man 부장 naflnafl@ajunews.com

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