Korea’s Zero-Waste Movement Goes Local—and Gets Creative

At a Saturday market in Jeonju, vendors wrap tofu in cotton cloth, swap shampoo bars like gifts, and refill soy sauce from steel tanks. There are no plastic bags, no branding, no waste bins. It feels like the past—but it’s the future.

Across Korea, the zero-waste movement is shifting from idealism to practicality. What began as niche activism is becoming a local, design-savvy, and community-driven way of living.

“People used to think zero-waste meant suffering,” laughs eco-shop owner Nam Jiyeon. “Now it means creativity and connection.”

In 2025, major cities like Seoul, Daejeon, and Gwangju are supporting “제로마켓” (Zero Markets)—pop-up events where residents exchange goods, attend repair classes, and try plastic-free products. These events often feel more like community festivals than environmental lectures.

Government policy is catching up. The Ministry of Environment’s “2025 무포장 시범사업” is piloting package-free zones in 10 neighborhoods. Participants earn digital points for every refill or reuse.

But the real drivers are younger consumers who combine climate anxiety with aesthetic taste. TikTok influencers post “trash audits” and “1-month waste jars,” while minimalist brands like Alltrue, 리필씨, and 무플라 are thriving online.

Schools are getting involved, too. Elementary kids build “zero-waste lunch kits.” Some universities now host dorm-wide challenges for who can produce the least waste per week.

Critics caution against moral perfectionism and greenwashing. “Not everyone can afford a bamboo toothbrush,” says activist Lee Mira. “We must welcome imperfect participation.”

And that may be the key: not zero as in nothing—but zero as in starting from a new kind of something.

Date: 2025-03-10

Reporter: 박근홍