Suwon Conducts Joint Inspection of Single-Use Product Regulations with Suwon Environmental Movement Center

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special Metropolitan City will conduct a joint inspection on the 25th and 26th with the civic organization Suwon Environmental Movement Center at target businesses regulated for single-use product usage within the city.

The Ministry of Environment expanded the range of single-use product regulations from November 24 last year and strengthened regulatory provisions. A one-year guidance period was designated to enhance policy effectiveness and practical field application.

As the guidance period ends on the 23rd of next month, the city plans to promote single-use product regulation items and compliance matters centered on major commercial areas in each district with high foot traffic, and inspect for violations.

The Ministry of Environment's single-use product regulation target items include ▲paper cups, plastic straws, and stirring sticks (prohibited for use in food service establishments and group dining facilities) ▲plastic bags (prohibited for use in general retail stores, etc.) ▲single-use plastic cheering items (prohibited for use in sports facilities, etc.), ▲umbrella bags (prohibited for use in large-scale stores, etc.).

After the guidance period, fines will be imposed upon detection of violations. Regulation items by industry type and compliance matters can be found at the Suwon City homepage > Suwon News > City Affairs.

Suwon City organized approximately 100 inspection units and conducted continuous inspections and on-site guidance at 6,176 target businesses annually. Additionally, the city encouraged participation in the 'Reducing Single-Use Product Store' program by attaching promotional materials at participating stores and registering single-use product reduction information. Currently, 128 stores in Suwon City are participating as 'Reducing Single-Use Product Stores.'

A city official stated, "We hope that this joint inspection with citizen participation will serve as an opportunity for both businesses providing single-use products and citizens using single-use products to participate in reducing single-use product usage."