Assessing the effects of reusable waste bag policy on vinyl waste generation in South Korea

In recent years, environmental policies aimed at reducing the use of plastic bags have received considerable attention. However, few studies have investigated whether these policies can effectively reduce vinyl waste generation over time. This study investigated the relationship between the number of retail stores selling reusable waste bags (RWB), their sales volume, and the amount of vinyl waste produced, using time-series cross-sectional (TSCS) data from 25 local governments in Seoul, South Korea, from 2010 to 2023. Data were subjected to a panel-corrected standard error (PCSE) regression analysis. The findings of this study revealed that higher sales of RWBs resulted in increased vinyl waste generation, whereas the number of retail stores selling RWBs did not significantly impact vinyl waste generation. Overall, within the scope of this study, the implementation of RWBs did not fulfill the policy objective of reducing vinyl waste. Implications for future research and practice are also discussed.Implications: The integration of reusable waste bags (RWBs) within South Korea's volume-based waste fee (VWF) system provides valuable insights for global strategies aimed at reducing vinyl and single-use plastic bag waste. This longitudinal analysis (2010-2023) across 25 Seoul local governments reveals a counterintuitive result: higher RWB sales volumes were positively associated with increased vinyl waste generation. Contrary to theoretical expectations and policy intent, the RWB policy did not achieve net reduction in vinyl waste and appears to have functioned more as a mandatory retail purchase than as a driver of genuine waste minimization. These findings offer a cautionary case for jurisdictions pursuing similar approaches.