Recycling of resources

Recycling of resources (자원재활용/資源再活用) means using the process of recycling resources to control the generation of wastes and to recycle such generated wastes.

It is to encourage environment-friendly management and to recycle the limited supply of resources in conformity with the protection of environment.

Key words
recycling of resources, environment protection, environment-friendly management, green growth

Legal background
Four methods may be employed for such legislative purpose: minimum recycled content mandates, utilization rates, procurement policies, recycled product labeling.

Both minimum recycled content mandates and utilization rates increase demand directly by forcing manufacturers to include recycling in their operations. Content mandates specify that a certain percentage of a new product must consist of recycled material.

As regards utilization rates, industries are permitted to meet the recycling targets at any point of their operation or even contract recycling out in exchange for tradeable credits. Opponents to both of these methods point to the large increase in reporting requirements they impose, and claim that they rob industry of necessary flexibility.

Governments have used their own purchasing power to increase recycling demand through what are called "procurement policies." These policies are either "set-asides," which earmark a certain amount of spending solely towards recycled products, or "price preference" programs which provide a larger budget when recycled items are purchased.

The final government regulation towards increased demand is recycled product labeling. When producers are required to label their packaging with amount of recycled material in the product, consumers may have informative choices. Consumers with sufficient buying power can then choose more environmentally conscious options, prompt producers to increase the amount of recycled material in their products, and indirectly increase demand.

Korean situation
In Korea, the government has enforced the Waste Control Act to achieve the objectives of environmental policies. But mandatory recycling of resources in a positive way was necessary, thus resulted in the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources (자원의 절약과 재활용 촉진에 관한 법률, hereinafter the "Resources Recycling Act").

Under the Resources Recycling Act, "recyclable resources" means goods or by-products collected after being disposed of in an used or unused state, which are reusable or reusable after reconditioning (including recoverable energy and waste heat, but excluding radioactive substances and substances contaminated by radioactive substances). The term “by-products” means things produced incidently in the process of manufacturing, processing, repairing or selling goods, suppling energy, or performing civil and construction works.

In this regard, vehicles have a lot of recyclable wastes, in particular, electrical and electronic equipment, after they are withdrawn from operation. So a special act has been implemented for the protection of environment and conservation of scarce resources. That is the Act on the Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (전기·전자제품 및 자동차의 자원순환에 관한 법률).