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Gov't mulls nationwide garbage bag purchase limits as hoarding persists

Published: 01 Apr. 2026, 14:42

Standard plastic garbage bags are seen at a large supermarket in Seoul on March 30. [NEWS1]

The government is considering limiting the number of standard plastic garbage bags each person can buy. The move comes as hoarding persists despite earlier purchase limits by local governments.

“Even though our ministry has repeatedly said that garbage bag prices will not rise, there is still some hoarding,” said Kim Sung-whan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, during a radio appearance on Wednesday. “When I went to a supermarket, there were cases where they were out of stock. Until supply stabilizes, we may need to limit purchases per person, as we did with masks.”

Kim’s remarks indicate the Climate Ministry may introduce nationwide guidelines. Previously, local governments managed purchase limits independently.

“Nothing has been finalized yet, but we are reviewing a per-person purchase limit,” a ministry official said.

Kim also acknowledged issues with production costs.

“The price of these garbage bags is fixed by ordinance and based on annual contracts, so it cannot be raised,” he said. “However, this is causing some supply disruptions.”

“Because contracts are signed annually through the Public Procurement Service, manufacturers cannot raise prices even if raw material costs increase, so it feels like production is being adjusted,” Kim added.

Kim Sung-whan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, left, is seen during a radio appearance on April 1. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

“There are requests to reflect higher costs for producers even if consumer prices remain unchanged,” Kim went on. “The actual production cost per bag is around 60 to 70 won [4 to 5 cents] but if consumers are charged 400 to 500 won including administrative waste processing costs, producers are asking for the manufacturing cost to be raised from 60 won to 80 or 100 won.”

Kim rejected claims that garbage bag prices could double or triple, calling them “fake news.” He said most of the price reflects administrative costs rather than production expenses.

Meanwhile, the ministry is also reviewing measures to encourage the use of recycled materials instead of naphtha in garbage bag production, including providing incentives to local governments.

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]]