South Korea's government will stop giving away free disposable plastic cups at cafes and restaurants as part of efforts to reduce plastic use.
Quoted from The Straits Times website, this statement was made by Minister of Environment Kim Sung-whan while briefing President Lee Jae Myung on December 17, 2025 at the Sejong Government Complex.
Starting from this new policy, the public must pay an additional fee for disposable plastic cups that were previously given for free.
The move will be included in the government's comprehensive plan on plastic reduction, the draft of which is scheduled to be announced on December 23, according to the ministry.
After the draft announcement, a public hearing will be held to collect input from the public and relevant parties.
The price of disposable plastic cups will be determined by each business, but the government plans to set a minimum price range, estimated at around 100 won to 200 won (around Rp. 1,100-2,200 per cup) to cover production costs.
According to the ministry, the market price of disposable plastic cups ranges from 50 won to 100 won (Rp566-Rp1.132), while the franchise headquarters usually supplies cups to branches at a price of 100 won-200 won (Rp1.132 to Rp2.265).
In this plan, the use of disposable paper cups will first be stopped at large restaurants, then gradually expanded to small businesses. Meanwhile, plastic straws will only be given for free if requested by customers.
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