Significant increase in garbage bag sales in Seoul, amid fears of a possible shortage

In South Korea, several stores have begun to ration the sale of plastic garbage bags due to fears of a possible shortage, influenced by the war in the Middle East and its impact on the oil market. At the end of March, sales of bags increased fivefold in Seoul, and some retail chains reported spectacular increases: 214% at 7-Eleven, 252.4% at CU, and 266.5% at Emart.

In South Korea, only bags approved by authorities can be used for household waste, and the collection fee is included in the purchase price. This regulation forces store owners to buy the bags directly from the authorities, which limits their visibility on the available stock. However, the government has dismissed the risks of shortage, assuring the public that there are sufficient resources and that, in case of a crisis, the use of standard plastic bags will be authorized. The Seoul Metropolitan Administration has confirmed that it has a stock of garbage bags equivalent to four months of consumption, and the shortages observed in stores are the result of panic buying, not an actual shortage.