Bamboo toothbrush (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jun. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – Park, a 30-year-old office worker, recently made an uncharacteristic choice while shopping online: Instead of her usual environmentally friendly detergent, she added a regular brand to her virtual cart.
Since starting to live independently in 2021, Park had used biodegradable sponges, shampoo bars and other eco-friendly products. But with prices soaring, she found such items increasingly burdensome. Her decision to opt for a standard detergent allowed her to save a few thousand won.
As relentless inflation squeezes budgets, more South Korean consumers like Park are wavering in their commitment to “ethical consumption” — products aimed at reducing environmental harm or avoiding animal testing. Such goods often cost twice as much as mass-produced alternatives.
“With the overall cost of living rising, I find myself looking at prices rather than how eco-friendly a product is,” said Ham, 34, an office worker. “I’ve been using more regular products again.”
Higher prices have taken a toll on zero-waste stores that specialize in sustainable products. The zero-waste movement encourages minimizing resource waste through reusable items and recycling potential discards like packaging.
Lee Ju-eun, one of the owners of Almang Market, a zero-waste shop in Seoul’s Mapo district that opened in 2020, said, “Since last summer, we’ve frequently heard about other zero-waste stores closing.” She estimated that 30 percent of such businesses nationwide had shut down.
While admitting that her shop’s revenue had dipped since the pandemic, albeit not drastically, Lee noted enduring loyalty among eco-conscious customers. “People who use eco-friendly products tend to be very committed, so even with high prices, we still have many customers considering the environment,” she said.
On a recent evening, around eight customers browsed the shop, examining cups made from recycled beer bottles and tote bags fashioned from repurposed vinyl banners.
Sung, a 39-year-old office worker, said she became interested in the zero-waste movement a decade ago and had practiced eco-friendly consumption for five years. “Even with high prices, I’ll try to keep it up as much as possible,” she said with a smile.
Lee encouraged consumers to give sustainable habits a chance. “Once you get started, you’ll realize it’s not as difficult as you might think,” she said. “If you start small, with what you can manage, you’ll find ways to reduce your consumption.”
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
