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Four major supermarkets have rid their self-packing counters starting November 2019, and all paper boxes will be eliminated from these supermarkets starting January 1, 2020. Why is the government putting this policy into action and what kind of inconveniences will the citizens face?

Korean Supermarkets Policy Change

Supermarkets with huge market shares in Korea including Lotte Mart, Emart, Home Plus and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart have confirmed the removal of self-packing counters starting November 2019 with plans on step-by-step publicity and education on such matter. Regardless of the government's intentions, when this news spread, it also attracted lots of complaints.

Although lots of citizens already take groceries in the shopping bags they bring, when a large amount of groceries is bought, they still prefer to use the paper boxes provided on the spot due to its convenience.  Ever since the talk of eliminating such convenience started emerging, it has faced lots of opposing comments and complaints.

Upon facing strong opposition from their people, the Ministry of Environment has postponed the effective date to January 1, 2020. Perhaps the government has postponed it to temporarily stop the dispute from spreading at the end of 2019 and implement the policy fresh and new in the New Year.

The people opposing this policy believe that the government is only blindly restricting pollution on the surface rather than confronting the packaging and distribution processes of supermarkets that actually provide the packaging.

Despite the postponement from the Ministry of Environment, many believe that the policy will take effect in the New Year.

In order to ease consumers' opposition to paper boxes, big supermarket franchises such as Home Plus, Lotte Mart, etc. are postponing the removal of self-packing stations. Those of you who are in Korea or coming to Korea don't need to be nervous about this tension, just bring an environmentally friendly bag on your trip to local supermarkets.

What do you guys think of the government's policy?

This blog post is about Seoul Supermarket Policy Change 2020. If you have questions about information not covered in the blog post, please email us at help@creatrip.com.