A Study on the Improvement Strategy for the Relevant Recycling System based on the Occurrence Status of Used Beverage Cartons

Abstract

Beverage cartons are made of natural pulp and, if recycled, can be used as high-quality resources that generate high economic profits and low carbon emissions. However, as of 2020, the recycling rate for beverage cartons was 16.1%, the lowest level since the extended producer responsibility system was introduced in 2003. This study diagnosed a problem with the beverage carton recycling system and proposed a plan for improvement. Through a nationwide on-site survey (n=41), this study identified the discharge ratio of used beverage cartons by region (metropolitan city), housing type (sale, lease), discharge method (separate, mixed), collection type (daily, regular), and the current status of beverage carton-related collection and recycling companies. According to an analysis of the discharge characteristics of used beverage cartons, the proportion of aseptic cartons in densely populated areas in Seoul and other metropolitan regions was high (37.1% to 40.4%). Furthermore, the disposal rate of aseptic cartons was high in the following order : lease > sale > lease + sale. The difference in the aseptic carton waste generation rate by collection method was not statistically significant. Still, the difference in discharge type was 4.8 percent point higher than that of mixed discharge when disposed separately. According to an on-site survey of carton pack-related collection and recycling companies, the poor collection rate, low collection quality, and lack of market for recycled sanitary paper were recognized as significant challenges. Following the prospect of delivered and imported ratio of aseptic cartons raise to 50% in 2024 and 80% in 2035, this study proposed to split the separate discharge system for gable-top cartons and aseptic cartons to diversify recycled products like other foreign countries.