Overview
- Climate and energy officials told residents there is no shortage of approved trash bags and said regular plastic bags would be allowed for household waste if shortages arise.
- The country’s waste system requires households to use district‑approved bags, which makes any hint of a shortfall a daily concern for shoppers.
- Major chains reported year‑on‑year sales jumps of roughly 140% to 325%, and Seoul’s daily sales last week reached about 2.7 million bags, so retailers have set per‑person purchase caps.
- A government survey found about half of municipalities hold roughly six months of stock on hand, and recycling firms have enough polyethylene to make about 1.83 billion bags.
- Industry leaders warn that disrupted naphtha flows have cut overall supply by about 30%, which could tighten plastics across many products, and they are urging a strategic reserve and broader feedstock options.