South Korea Revamps Recycling Metrics, Excluding Thermal Methods

South Korea is updating its recycling metrics for the first time in 26 years by excluding thermal recycling from its calculations, addressing concerns over inflated recycling rates.

• The South Korean government will revise its national recycling rate methodology, marking the first change in 26 years, to enhance accuracy and credibility.
• Previously, South Korea included thermal recycling in its statistics, which involves burning plastic waste for energy, leading to inflated Recycling rate figures compared to international standards.
• Critics argue that including thermal recycling misrepresents the actual effectiveness of waste management practices in South Korea, prompting the government to adopt a stricter definition.