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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Current Status of Plastic Recycling in Korea
ClearPlastic recycling in South Korea: problems, challenges, and policy recommendations in the endemic era
This review examines how plastic waste generation in South Korea surged during the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased online shopping and food delivery, while recycling rates declined. Researchers found that despite active waste management policies, the country needs stronger measures modeled on international best practices. The study highlights that microplastics remain a particular concern because their full environmental impacts are not yet well understood.
A Study on the Trend of Domestic Waste Generation and the Recognition of Recycling Priorities in Korea
This South Korean study examined trends in household waste generation and public recognition of recycling in the context of sustainable development goals and circular economy policy. Understanding recycling behavior and waste generation trends is important for reducing the plastic waste that eventually breaks down into microplastics.
Analysis of microplastics distributed in the environment: Case studies in South Korea
This study provides an overview of microplastic distribution across various environments in South Korea, compiling data from multiple research groups studying different locations. Researchers summarized the sampling and analysis methods currently in use and identified key technical challenges that make comparisons between studies difficult. The study also discusses the main industrial and household sources contributing to microplastic pollution in the country.
Investigation on Microplastics in Soil near Landfills in the Republic of Korea
Researchers found microplastics in soil samples taken near two South Korean landfills, averaging 73–98 particles per kilogram, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the dominant types and fragments being the most common shape. The high proportion of secondary (weathered) microplastics indicates that fragmentation of larger plastic waste is actively occurring at these sites. These findings confirm that landfills are a significant local source of microplastic soil contamination and warrant inclusion in national monitoring programs.
Challenges to Increase Plastic Sorting Efficiency
This paper reviews the current challenges and future opportunities for improving plastic sorting rates in waste management systems. Higher sorting rates are essential for increasing plastic recycling and reducing the amount of plastic that ends up fragmented into microplastics in the environment.
Microplastics in soil and groundwater of Korea: Occurrence, characteristics and risk assessment
This review synthesizes recent Korean research on microplastic contamination in soil and groundwater, finding that PP, PE, PET, and PVC are the most common polymers, fragments dominate in shape (indicating secondary breakdown of plastic products), and agricultural practices are major local sources including plastic mulch films and greenhouse covers. Groundwater microplastic levels vary seasonally with monsoon rainfall, while soil levels remain relatively stable year-round. The review concludes that Korea needs a nationwide investigation and tighter regulations on agricultural plastic use to address what is already a low-to-moderate ecological risk in studied regions.
National Reconnaissance Survey of Microplastics in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants in Korea
A nationwide survey of South Korean wastewater treatment plants found that large quantities of microplastics are discharged into freshwater environments, with treatment processes only partially effective at removing them. The study highlights WWTPs as a major pathway for microplastic entry into rivers and ultimately the ocean.
New Policy Framework for Effective Managing Microplastic in Circular System Form Plastic Product Manufacturing to Waste Treatment Facility
Researchers proposed a new policy framework for microplastic management by analyzing the full circular system of plastic -- from raw material production through consumption to waste treatment -- and examining microplastic waste at the final disposal stage. Applying the framework to the Korean waste management system demonstrated that the proposed circular system approach improves upon current microplastic management schemes.
Occurrence and Removal of Microplastic in Sewage Treatment Facilities in Chungcheongbuk-do
This study measured microplastic concentrations in the inflow and discharge of four sewage treatment plants in South Korea and found that treatment processes removed some microplastics but not all. The facilities were identified as potential point sources of microplastic discharge into nearby rivers. The findings support the need for upgraded treatment technologies that specifically target microplastic removal from municipal wastewater.
Abundance, composition, and distribution of microplastics larger than 20 μm in sand beaches of South Korea
A national survey of 20 sandy beaches along the South Korean coast found microplastics at all locations, with fragments as the dominant type and concentrations varying by beach exposure and proximity to population centers. The study establishes a national baseline for beach microplastic contamination to support monitoring and management policy in South Korea.
Strategies for Sustainable Management of Agricultural Waste Vinyl in South Korea
This study reviewed management strategies for agricultural waste vinyl in South Korea, where plastic mulch films and greenhouse covers are widely used and must be collected and recycled after use. The authors found that current collection and recycling systems are insufficient to handle the volume of plastic generated. Improving agricultural plastic waste management is critical to prevent mulch film fragments from becoming a major source of soil microplastics.
Treatment characteristics of microplastics at biological sewage treatment facilities in Korea
A study of two biological sewage treatment facilities in South Korea found that microplastics were present in influent at high concentrations but that treatment removed 80-95% of particles, with sludge as the main repository for retained microplastics. The results confirm that while treatment significantly reduces microplastic discharge, effluent still releases large numbers of particles into receiving waters.
Recycling and Management of Microplastic Waste
This review examines recycling and management strategies for plastic waste, describing the technical and economic challenges of reducing plastic pollution and the remediation approaches that have been attempted to address microplastic accumulation in the environment.
Plastic waste and microplastic issues in Southeast Asia
This review examines the plastic waste and microplastic crisis across Southeast Asia, a region that contributes significantly to global ocean plastic pollution. The authors found that inadequate waste collection, limited recycling infrastructure, and rapid economic growth are driving the problem. The study evaluates current waste management systems and proposes strategies for improving plastic waste reduction in these countries.
Distribution and Size Relationships of Plastic Marine Debris on Beaches in South Korea
Researchers surveyed plastic marine debris across 12 beaches in South Korea, finding large microplastics (1-5 mm) at mean abundances of 880 particles/m2, with Styrofoam dominating the microplastic and mesoplastic fractions at over 90% of particles. Abundance varied by beach type and location, with exposed beaches showing higher debris concentrations than sheltered ones.
Research on Plastic Recycling from a Global Perspective and PET Recycling Schemes in Hong Kong
This review examines global plastic production, environmental impacts, and recycling systems, comparing approaches in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Germany, and finding that Hong Kong's low recycling rate and landfill-dependent system contrasts sharply with Taiwan's high recovery rates and Germany's strict classification and processing infrastructure. The study identifies structural and logistical barriers limiting PET and broader plastic recycling in emerging economies.
Baseline Study on Microplastic Distribution in the Open Surface Waters of the Korean Southwest Sea
Researchers collected surface seawater south of Jeju Island in South Korea and found an average microplastic abundance of 0.46 particles per liter, with polyethylene as the dominant polymer and fragments as the most common shape, establishing a baseline for this understudied ocean region.
Recycling Laws and Their Evaluation in Japan
Japan's suite of recycling laws — covering packaging, appliances, vehicles, construction materials, and food waste — is reviewed alongside the emerging microplastics problem and Japan's policy responses to it. The paper highlights that existing recycling frameworks were not designed with microplastics in mind, creating regulatory gaps that need to be addressed as plastic debris increasingly fragments into microscale particles.
A Comprehensive Review of Plastic Recycling in the Construction Industry: Challenges and Opportunities in the U.S.
Despite its title referencing plastic recycling in the construction industry, this paper reviews the barriers and opportunities for incorporating recycled plastics into building materials in the United States — not microplastic pollution itself. It examines economic, technical, and regulatory challenges for construction-sector plastic recycling and is only indirectly relevant to microplastics through the lens of reducing plastic waste at source.
An Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Several Streams of Gyeonggi-do
This study assessed microplastic pollution in several streams in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, finding microplastic concentrations in freshwater environments and contributing data to a literature dominated by marine studies.
Nationwide evaluation of microplastic properties in municipal wastewater treatment plants in South Korea
Researchers evaluated microplastic levels at 22 municipal wastewater treatment plants across South Korea and found that while the plants remove over 99% of microplastics, the sheer volume of treated water still releases significant quantities into receiving waterways. Most removal happened during the sedimentation stage, and the most common microplastic types found were fragments and fibers under 300 micrometers. The study suggests that despite high removal efficiency, wastewater treatment plants remain an important source of microplastic discharge into the environment.
Floating macroplastic pollution in Korean coastal and offshore areas
Researchers conducted visual observation surveys during 2022 and 2023 research cruises to document floating macroplastic pollution larger than 2.5 cm in South Korean coastal and offshore waters, including the South Sea and East Sea. They found debris densities ranging from 9 to 1,191 items per km2 and characterized dominant plastic types, filling a data gap given that prior Korean studies had focused primarily on microplastics.
A study on characteristics of microplastic in wastewater of South Korea: Identification, quantification, and fate of microplastics during treatment process
Microplastics were tracked through three South Korean wastewater treatment plants with different tertiary treatment methods, finding 75–92% removal by primary and secondary treatment and over 98% removal after tertiary treatment. The study confirms that advanced treatment steps are necessary to approach near-complete microplastic removal from municipal wastewater.
Current status of researches on microplastics in groundwater and perspectives
This review examines the current status of microplastic research in groundwater systems internationally, identifying that despite growing attention to microplastics in surface and marine waters, groundwater investigations remain sparse both in South Korea and globally. Researchers diagnosed gaps in monitoring methodology and management frameworks, proposing directions for more effective groundwater microplastic assessment.