The Ministry of Environment (Minister Kim Wansup) will hold the event ‘Rethinking Plastic Life’ from November 25 to 29 at BEXCO (located in Haeundae, Busan) to promote Korea’s resource circulation policy to the world. 

This event is organized to share Korea's advanced plastic circular economy policies and technologies with participating countries, coinciding with the 5th Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) for the International Treaty on Plastic Pollution, which will be held in Busan from November 25 to December 1. It is jointly hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Busan Metropolitan City, and the organizing committee*.

* Korea Environment Corporation, Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute, Korea Packaging Recycling Cooperative, Korea Resource Circulation Service Agency, Container Deposit System Management Organization

The event will feature a five-day program starting with the opening ceremony on November 25, including 1) circular economy academic discussions (forums and seminars), 2) consultations on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and financial support for developing countries, and 3) promotional exhibitions. On the first day of the event, there will also be an inauguration ceremony for the ‘Sustainable Plastic Circular Economy Initiative,’ in which participating companies and the government will work together to promote the spread of the plastic circular economy across society.

The circular economy academic discussions (forums and seminars) will be hosted by approximately 50 domestic and international organizations*, including public institutions, local governments, international organizations, and civil society groups. Various topics will be presented and discussed, including 1) local cooperation for the transition to a plastic circular economy, 2) the role of youth, and 3) marine conservation.

*(International organizations)United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), World Economic Forum (WEF), etc. 

(Local governments) Busan, Jeju (Citizen environmental organizations) Climate Change Center, Korea Zero Waste Movement Network, etc. 

In addition, the event will share Korea's advanced policies on resource circulation, such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, with developing countries, and guide them on customized cooperation programs. It will also introduce financial support for underdeveloped countries in collaboration with organizations such as the World Bank, and seek ways for developing countries with insufficient waste management capabilities to actively contribute to the development of the international treaty on plastic pollution.

Furthermore, the K-Plastic Resource Circulation Exhibition Hall will introduce recycling technologies integrated throughout the entire process from plastic raw material production to consumption, collection, and recycling, as well as a pilot project for collecting colorless PET bottles. The exhibition will also offer hands-on experiences with deposit systems related to disposable cups and fishing gear, and showcase resource circulation policy promotions and related activity photos from 27 domestic and international organizations and groups.

Minister of Environment Kim Wansup stated, “We hope this event serves as a platform to introduce Korea’s plastic policies and technologies and contributes to strengthening the management capacities of the international community so that the goal of the treaty to end plastic pollution can be achieved.”

Attachment: Overview of the ‘Rethinking Plastic Life’ Event. End.

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com