[The Hwankyung Ilbo] The Ministry of Environment will strengthen the grading system so that the material and structure of the packaging material can be designed for easy recycling in accordance with the comprehensive measures for recycling waste management (May of 2018).

In order to improve the quality of recycled products, the color of the pet bottle body should be colorless and the label should be easily removed from the body.

There are two methods of label removal: a method that allows consumers to remove the label and discharge as much as possible in the same way as in Japan and a European way that allows the separation in the water during the cleaning process of recycling process.

Korea relies on the private market for a large portion of the recycling process. The government operates a method of removing labels that are based on the separation of labels in the water and also encourage consumers to remove, which is a mix of European and Japanese methods.

To receive a good grade, the label should a material that can be separated from the pet bottle body in the water, and only the adhesive that can be removed from the cleaning process is recognized when the adhesive is used. A structure that is easy to remove the label, such as cut lines, should be introduced so that consumers can easily separate and remove the label.

The labels that can be separated in the water without using adhesives will be given the highest grade in order to induce the production of it.

“In order to improve the quality of recycling of pet bottles, we plan to kick out colored pet bottles from the market by 2021 and beer bottles that are difficult to convert to colorless bottles to preserve product quality will be converted to reusable glass bottles or cans,” an official from the Ministry of Environment said.

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