Since the import ban of plastic waste in China has been enforced, plastic wastes were not properly collected and recycled in Korea. Hence, the management strategies for plastic waste in Korea should be improved by examining the regulations and policy in developed countries such as United States, Japan, EU and United Kingdom. The management strategy for the recycling cycle should be implemented to expand the labeling system of separation and discharge, reduce the consumption of plastic products, automate the separation and sorting method in recycling facilities, and improve the economical efficiency of the recycling cycle. The concept of residual waste (secondary waste) in the material flow analysis should be implemented to identify the shortage point in the plastic waste stream. Finally, the cooperation with international communities is required for a transboundary movement of plastic waste, which includes participation at the working group of international standards to recycle plastic waste.

With the upcoming enforcement of the Fundamental Law of Resource Circulation in January 2018, changes are expected to occur in waste management policies. Until now, South Korea has worked hard to prevent waste generation and improve recycling. The recycling rate has improved, but recyclables are not considered high-quality. To resolve these issues in its member states, the EU is promoting resource efficiency policies. Their plan is to integrate the environment with the economy, achieve economic growth, and create jobs. A circular economy has also been adopted as a strategy to promote the resource efficiency policies. The key content of the strategy consists of an action plan and a waste law revision. Goals for the recycling of wastes by 2030 have been set in laws revised through this strategy, which also includes recycling evaluation standards and calculation methods. For Korea to cultivate a resource circulation society in the future, the EU’s resource efficiency policies and strategies must be preemptively implemented in a manner that suits the situation in Korea, and terms must be defined and standards established for recycling.