Starting next year, the separate disposal of paper cartons will become mandatory in large apartment complexes.

While paper cartons can be recycled into high-quality materials if collected separately, they are frequently discarded mixed with other waste paper or thrown away in general waste bags.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced that it will first implement voluntary separate disposal for paper cartons, such as milk cartons, across approximately 144,000 buildings in mandatory management apartment complexes starting next month, before making it mandatory on January 1 of next year.

Mandatory management apartment complexes include apartment complexes with 300 households or more, those with 150 households or more equipped with elevators, and those with 150 households or more utilizing central heating systems.

The recycling rate for paper cartons, which are made from natural pulp, stood at a mere 14% as of the year before last.

Ahead of the mandatory separate disposal of paper cartons, the Ministry of Climate signed a business agreement with related companies and organizations today (the 21st) at Hansol Paper's Daejeon plant to establish a recycling system.

(Photo: Yonhap News)