Korea's policy instruments for waste minimization |
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Authors: | Il-Chung Kim |
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Institution: | (1) Department of International Trade, Dongguk University, 26 pil-dong 3 ka, Choong-ku, Seoul, Korea Tel. +82-2-2260-3278; Fax +82-2-2260-3505 e-mail: ickim@dongguk.edu, KR |
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Abstract: | This paper considers the current status of waste generation and waste treatment trends, and introduces a wide variety of policy
instruments for waste minimization at every stage of economic activity in Korea, i.e., production, distribution, and consumption.
At each stage, the Korean government has imposed a policy mix of direct regulations and economic incentives. These policy
instruments have made definite contributions to a reduction of waste generation and an increase in the recycling rate. Despite
these fruitful outcomes, there are still some shortcomings with respect to efficiency and equity. Among other aspects, this
paper examines three representative economic incentives – the charge system, the volume-based-collection fee system, and the
deposit–refund system – and identifies shortcomings in each. Some suggestions are made for the creation of better systems
of economic incentives. However, many experts insist that this kind of piecemeal change in each policy instrument is not enough
to achieve the ultimate goal of resource circulation and an environmentally friendly society, especially in Korea, which is
a country with little land, a high population density, and a high economic growth rate. Among experts, special emphasis is
placed on the activation of recycling industries to achieve these goals.
Received: April 2, 2001 / Accepted: September 10, 2001 |
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Keywords: | Korea's policy instruments Waste minimization Charge system Volume– based– collection fee system Deposit– refund system |
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