South Korea revives ban on disposable paper cups, extends EPR to plastic cups

South Korean franchise chains used 1.089 billion disposable cups last year, up 1.6% on the prior year and 31% above 2019 levels, after the government scrapped a planned paper-cup ban in November 2023. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment is now drafting a new in-store ban on paper cups for larger cafes, based on a floor-area threshold still under discussion, and plans to bring disposable plastic cups under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme within the year.

Why this mattersRenewed EPR coverage and a possible in-store paper-cup ban would reshape demand and recycling economics for single-use cup packaging in one of Asia's larger food-service markets.

• 24 franchise chains used 1.089 billion disposable cups last year, up 1.6% from 1.072 billion the year before.
• Usage is 31% higher than the 830 million cups used by 21 companies in 2019.
• The government withdrew a planned ban on disposable paper cups in November 2023.
• A ban on in-store plastic cups remains in force but averaged only 72 enforcement fines a year over five years.
• The climate ministry is drafting a new paper-cup ban for cafes above a floor-area threshold, with 33 or 100 square metres discussed.
• Disposable plastic cups are to be brought under the Extended Producer Responsibility system within the year.

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