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Don't panic, trash bag supplies stable, says Korean government

Published: 29 Mar. 2026, 18:51 Updated: 29 Mar. 2026, 19:27

Garbage bags are seen at a supermarket in Seoul on March 29. [YONHAP]

The government and local authorities have moved to calm panic buying of trash bags, saying supply remains stable despite fears of raw material shortages linked to the Middle East conflict.

“Across the country, 123 of 228 municipalities, or 53.9 percent, have more than six months’ worth of garbage bags,” the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said on Sunday. “On average, local governments have more than three months’ supply and can quickly send extra bags to areas that run short because the stock does not carry region names.”

In Korea, people must use designated garbage bags to dispose of household waste. Each local government operates its own system, so residents have to buy and use waste bags specific to their area. Since the supply held by the government does not carry region names, the extra bags can be flexibly tailored to areas that are low in stock.

Officials also dismissed concerns over a shortage of naphtha, a key raw material. Garbage bags are made from polyethylene produced by breaking down naphtha during the oil refining process. Recycled materials can also produce polyethylene.

“Domestic recycling companies hold enough recycled material to produce about 1.83 billion bags, exceeding total sales of about 1.78 billion in 2024,” the ministry said. “We can sustain production for more than a year using recycled materials alone."

Local governments encouraged manufacturers to maintain production and distribution while also limiting wholesale and retail purchases.

A convenience store in Guro District, western Seoul, limited sales to one bag per customer on Wednesday due to low inventory, but allowed purchases in bundles of 10 on Sunday after the district office expanded supply.

A notice limiting the number of garbage bags that can be purchased is posted at a supermarket in Goyang, Gyeonggi, on March 29. [NEWS1]

“We tell people the shortage of garbage bags is only temporary and caused by a surge in demand, but we are still getting a flood of calls asking where to buy them,” a Seoul Metropolitan Government official said. “If people keep bulk buying, stores could run out faster after placing orders, so local governments are recommending a limit of 10 bags per person."

All 25 districts in Seoul secured about 69 million bags, equivalent to roughly four months of supply.

The city of Seongnam, Gyeonggi, limited orders to once a week and capped each order at 10 bundles, or 100 bags, per retailer.

With 14 types of bags available — six for general waste, five for food waste and three reusable types — retailers can sell up to 1,400 bags per week. The city also capped purchases at 10 bags per person per day.

Cheorwon County in Gangwon limited purchases to two bags per person, while Jeonju in North Jeolla plans to allow residents to dispose of household waste using regular plastic bags starting in mid-April. The city will also impose fines of up to 3 million won ($1,990) for excessive buying or reselling of garbage bags.

No local governments have announced price increases tied to unstable naphtha supply.

A notice limiting the number of garbage bags that can be purchased is posted at a supermarket in Goyang, Gyeonggi, on March 29. [NEWS1]

Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi, which has raised garbage bag prices by 10 percent annually since 2020 so residents cover the cost of collecting and disposing of trash, will instead lower prices by at least 10 percent by type starting Wednesday.

Experts stressed the need for clear communication and expanded use of recycled materials.

“If people think raw materials are running out, buying more than they need could lead to a real shortage,” said Kang Sung-jin, a professor of economics at Korea University. “Accurate information needs to reach consumers.”

Other experts also pointed to the need for longer-term solutions to stabilize supply.

"The country should reduce reliance on naphtha by expanding recycled and biomass materials," said Hong Su-yeol, director of the Resource Recycling Socio-Economic Research Institute. “We need to improve the quality of recycled materials to make that possible."

As polyethylene serves as a key material in a wide range of products, including water and sewage pipes and food packaging, the petrochemical industry has called for naphtha to be designated as a strategic reserve material. This would require revising the Petroleum and Alternative Fuel Business Act.

Kim Dong-chun, CEO of LG Chem, urged the government to establish a national stockpiling system at an industry meeting attended by President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday.

“We need to build a national stockpiling system and institutional framework to stabilize naphtha supply,” Kim said.

Lee responded by saying that the government will “provide full support.”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY HEO JEONG-WON [[email protected]]