Almost nine out of 10 people now support the use of waste disposal bags the Ministry of the Environment has announced after holding a survey to ascertain support for improving enforcing bag use in waste disposal.

Results from a nationwide phone poll of 1,000 people, released on Jan 19, show that 87.6 percent think waste disposal bags improve food disposal culture, a 2.5 percent increase on last year. Awareness of the bags has also increased dramatically with a 16.7 percent increase over the last five years.

The results suggest that people believe household habits drove the demand for the bags, with 32.9 percent putting this down to increased meal portions, 32.6 percent to lack of conscientiousness around food, and 16.1 percent to food waste at restaurants.

In addition, 96 percent said they are keen to reduce waste with 47.4 percent seeking to do so through appropriate meal portions, 24.2 percent through planned grocery shopping, and 11.7 percent through draining liquid from their food waste to reduce weight.

The food disposal bag system charges households by how much they dispose and since it was introduced in 2010 there has been a 7.3 percent reduction in food waste, to 1,2663 tons. Furthermore, in 2010 just 56.9 percent believed enforced use of the bags was necessary, yet this has climbed to 70.2 percent.

Bag sales vary from less than 500 won (12.4 percent), to 500 to 1500 won (31.9 percent), or 1500 to 3000 won (18.3 percent).