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Deposit Systems

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System Overview

The system is designed to promote the collection and reuse of empty containers by providing economic incentives. These incentives include a deposit paid by consumers for empty containers and handling fees paid by producers (manufacturers) who are responsible for reusing the containers

Deposit-Eligible Businesses

The containers subject to deposit for reuse include soju, beer, soft drinks, and similar products.
Deposits are applied to over 100 different products from 14 manufacturers that produce reusable empty containers.

Soju Manufacturers

  • Kumbokju Co., Ltd.
  • Bohae Brewery Co., Ltd.
  • Daesun Distilling Co., Ltd.
  • Shinsegae L&B Co., Ltd.
  • SeonYang Soju Co., Ltd.
  • Chungbuk Soju Co., Ltd.
  • Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co., Ltd.
  • HiteJinro Co., Ltd.
  • Muhak Co., Ltd.
  • Hallasan Soju Co., Ltd.

Beer Manufacturers

  • Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co., Ltd.
  • OB Beer Co., Ltd.
  • HiteJinro Co., Ltd.

Soft Drink Manufacturers

  • Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co., Ltd.
  • Ilhwa Co., Ltd.
  • Coca-Cola Beverage Co., Ltd.

Operational System

Process of Reusing Empty Containers

  1. Production/Reproduction Stage
  2. Sales Stage
  3. Consumption Stage
  4. Return of Empty Containers and Refund of Deposits
  5. Collection Stage
  6. Transportation by Alcoholic Beverage and Soft Drink Companies
  7. Sterilization and Cleaning Stage

Management System for Deposit and Handling Fee Payments

Deposit Amount for Empty Containers

Deposit Amount and Handling Fees for Empty Containers Guide to Deposit Amounts and Handling Fees for Empty Containers
Capacity
Less than 190ml
190ml to Less than 400ml
400ml to Less than 1,000ml
1,000ml and Above
Deposit Amount
70 won/ea
100 won/ea
130 won/ea
350 won/ea
Handling Fee Total
32 won/ea
36 won/ea
38 won/ea
Wholesalers
20 won/ea
23 won/ea
24 won/ea
Retailers
12 won/ea
13 won/ea
14 won/ea

Roles of Stakeholders

Consumers are responsible for paying the deposit and returning empty containers.

When purchasing a product, they pay a certain amount as a deposit. After using the product, they return the empty container to a retail or wholesale store and receive a refund of the deposit.

Producers are obligated to collect and reuse empty containers

They manufacture products that include a deposit, reuse the returned empty containers, and bear the associated costs, such as handling fees, incurred during this process.

Government regulates the deposit system by defining which products are subject to the deposit, the associated costs, and the management framework through laws and regulations.

Since 1985, Korea has implemented the deposit system under the "Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources" and its subordinate regulations. These laws specify the products subject to the deposit, the deposit amount paid by consumers, and the handling fees borne by producers.

Retailers and Wholesalers are responsible for collecting empty containers from consumers and returning them.

They receive handling fees to cover the costs of storage and transportation incurred during the return process.

Annual Status of Empty Container Shipments and Collections

(Unit: Million Bottles)
Yearly Distribution And Collection Status
Categories 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Shipment Volume 5,226 5,109 4,885 4,723 4,216 3,739 4,184 4,161
Collection Volume 4,974 4,952 4,810 4,653 4,125 3,650 4,034 4,038
Overall Collection Rate 95.2% 96.9% 98.5% 98.5% 97.9% 97.6% 96.4% 97.1%
Consumers Direct Return Rate (Household Use) 29.0% 50.9% 58.8% 60.5% 61.1% 63.5% 63.8% 65.2%

Subject to change based on the settlement of shipment and collection volumes