Tape and String Disappeared from Supermarket Self-Packaging Stations... "Where Is the Tape?"

Tape and Strings Disappear from Self-Packaging Stations at Marts
Foreign Tourists Struggle to Check Luggage
Domestic Consumers Complain of "Bureaucratic Inefficiency"
Young Consumers Respond Quickly, Mart Staff 'Delighted'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] On the afternoon of the 2nd at Lotte Mart Seoul Station branch in Jung-gu, Seoul, a Japanese tourist standing in front of the self-packaging station with a cart full of seaweed and ramen kept looking around anxiously. Eventually, he approached a store employee and asked in broken Korean, "Where is the tape?" The employee then pointed to a notice above their head written in Japanese and English stating, "Provision of packaging tape and string has been discontinued."

Lotte Mart, E-Mart, and Homeplus, the three major supermarket chains, removed all tape and string from their self-packaging stations starting from the 1st, leaving only cardboard boxes. This measure was implemented in accordance with a voluntary agreement made with the Ministry of Environment last August. Customers visiting the stores were confused as they searched for the missing tape and string. Foreign tourists, in particular, experienced significant inconvenience since most of them check their purchased items as luggage, and the tools for packaging had disappeared.

At Lotte Mart Seoul Station branch, it is known that about 70% of the customers are foreigners. Due to the location at Seoul Station, where the Airport Railroad is situated, many tourists visit to purchase goods and then head straight to the airport. Items popular among tourists, such as seaweed and ramen, are relatively bulky and require box packaging. However, tourists found it even more frustrating as communication with store employees was difficult and the tape was no longer available.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, foreign tourists are packing the items they purchased into boxes at the self-packaging station of Lotte Mart Seoul Station branch.

Domestic consumers also expressed dissatisfaction. On the 2nd, Mr. Park (62), whom we met at a supermarket in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, said, "Reducing a little tape won't protect the environment," and criticized it as "desk-bound administration that does not consider consumer inconvenience." At E-Mart and Homeplus, 56-liter large capacity reusable shopping bags are rented or sold for about 3,000 to 4,000 won, which also drew complaints. Mrs. Jung (52), a housewife, said, "Although they say reusable shopping bags, it's hard for housewives to readily purchase bags costing several thousand won," and added, "I hope they bring back the tape."

However, younger consumers responded quickly to this measure. Mr. Yoon (31), who visited the store carrying a reusable shopping bag, said, "Since we are in an era where plastic straws are disappearing, it is not a big inconvenience," and added, "I plan to order products that require box packaging online." Store employees also welcomed this measure. Mr. Park (61), who is in charge of store cleaning, said, "There were many complaints about cleaning up tape and string waste and requests to bring new tape, so this is good."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment expects this measure to significantly reduce household waste. The annual amount of packaging tape and string used by the three major supermarket chains is 658 tons, enough to fill 857 Sangam Stadiums (9,126㎡ each). The government plans to gradually reduce the use of disposable packaging materials and plastic bags, aiming to cut plastic waste generation by half by 2030.