플라스틱 폐기물의 재활용 책임 구현을 위한 법적 과제

Plastic was praised as a miracle material of the 20th century as it was used as amaterial for various products, but is now pointed out as the main culprit ofenvironmental polution. In particular, since the spread of COVID-19, non-face-to-faceconsumption has increased signifcantly, and many disposable products are being used. Plastic waste discharges polutants in the proces of incineration or landfiling, andacumulates in water or marine animals, adversely afecting the human body. Amonghousehold wastes, 56.8% of the total synthetic resin types are recycled, but this meansthe amount of recycling brought into the recycling facilty. Plastic waste is often notrecycled, and the quality is low if it is not sorted acording to the material or color. Korea operates various systems to curb the generation of plastic waste and expandrecycling, and waste charges are one of them. Waste charges are imposed on productsmade of plastics, and manufactured or imported by a person runing a manufacturingbusines, whose type is specifed in atached Table 1-3 of Enforcement decre of the acton the promotion of saving and recycling of resources, or a wholesaler orretailer(refering to finished products distributed in the market for sale to consumers).In this paper, four improvement methods for the efective operation of plastic wastecharges are presented. First, it is necesary to clarify who is responsible for the treatmentof plastic waste and define the concept of plastic under the waste-related legislation. Itis necesary to use levies to met the purpose of impositon, and to reduce levies forthe production of products that are easy to recycle.