The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province in the Republic of Korea has taken big steps in reducing plastic pollution. In the 1990s, after a period of rapid economic growth, the Republic of Korea was facing a rising problem of pollution. Plastic, being convenient and often cheaper, was replacing many of the traditionally used materials like bamboo, wood and earthenware.
While these challenges can be seen around the world, they were made even more prominent in Jeju due to its remote location as an isle located about 100km from the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. Shipping the plastic waste to the mainland for processing was not economical, and Jeju’s shores and coral reefs were also being polluted by debris that was washing up from abroad.
Facing these challenges, Jeju began a campaign to reduce plastic pollution, with the ultimate goal to end it by 2040. Additionally, the Republic of Korea also launched a campaign against pollution, and it saw the amount of material sent to landfills fall by over 70% between 1997 and 2023. To lower the amount of plastic waste generated, Jeju subsidizes reusable containers for local events, and it is launching a new pilot program this year where it will support the implementation of reusable containers by meal delivery services, as well as subsidizing drink discounts for people who bring their own reusable tumblers.
There are also many businesses in Jeju who are embracing circularity in their business practices. Retailers like Flowermari and the Zero Waste Living Lab sell household products like shampoo, detergents and toothbrushes without the plastic packaging. Flowermari sells many products in containers that can be refilled at their Refill Store in Jeju.
On a broader scale, Jeju has implemented large infrastructure changes to support waste management and recycling. The province has 1700 unstaffed and 200 staffed depots, known as Clean Houses, where residents must drop off their household waste. Staff at the depots help residents sort their waste which speeds up the recycling process down the line. According to the Korean environment ministry, 66% of all household waste in Jeju is recycled, compared to a global average of 19% as found in a 2024 report from UNEP.
Jeju also has an impressive recycling plant called the Jeju Resources Circulation Center which processes 60 tonnes of plastic waste each day. The center is mostly automated and utilizes magnets to separate metals and optical sorters that use light rays to determine the composition of plastics and group them by type. After being processed, much of the plastic is resold to local businesses, and according to a report from the province, these sales netted Jeju $2.3 million USD in 2024. This revenue is used to sustain the operation of the centre and cover the cost of the building. Geunsik Chung, the head of Jeju Province’s Resource Circulation Division, said that “I believe this facility is not just necessary for environmental reasons, but also economically very valuable,” with the cost of processing waste at the centre only one-tenth the cost of shipping it to the mainland.
Jeju is a good example of government and businesses working together to reduce pollution through multiple approaches. Are there examples of positive partnership like this where you live?