Concerns About Using Mugs During 'COVID-19'... Is It Okay to Request 'Disposable Cups'?

Ministry of Environment Temporarily Allows Use of Disposable Items in Cafes to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

The majority of consumers using takeout still use disposable cups such as plastic cups. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), 'disposable items' that were previously banned for in-store use have reappeared in coffee shops and restaurants. This is because consumers have increasingly avoided using reusable tableware out of concern for droplet infection.

According to the food service industry, coffee franchises such as Starbucks, Twosome Place, and Tom N Toms are providing beverages in plastic or paper cups upon customer request at some stores. They plan to continue using disposable cups and containers until the COVID-19 crisis alert is lifted.

This follows the Ministry of Environment's announcement on the 5th that, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the temporary use of disposable items will be allowed at food service establishments such as restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets, and bakeries located in airports, ports, and train stations frequently visited by foreigners.

Additionally, as long as the infectious disease crisis alert remains at the 'Warning' level or higher, local government heads may expand regulations at their discretion. This is the first time the government has relaxed disposable item regulations since enforcing the "Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling Resources" in August 2018, which banned the use of disposable items inside stores, 1 year and 6 months ago.

However, so far, the use of disposable items inside stores is only permitted in government-designated locations (airports, ports, train stations), and within Seoul, only one location in Seocho-gu is allowed. In other words, stores outside these areas still face fines of up to 2 million KRW if caught using disposable cups.

The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Given this situation, disputes sometimes arise between staff and customers at some coffee shops. Consumers complain, saying, "Other stores give them, so why don't you?" In fact, even within the same coffee brand, stores in Seocho-gu can provide disposable cups, but those in the neighboring Gangnam-gu cannot. Coffee shops located inside stations are subject to relaxed regulations, but those just a few meters outside the station are not.

A Mr. A, who runs a coffee shop in Yeongdeungpo, said, "Customer complaints are more severe than when the regulations were introduced in 2018," adding, "Even when I explain that mugs are clean because we use dishwashers, some customers ask, 'Who will take responsibility if I get infected with COVID-19 after drinking coffee here?' which puts us in a difficult position."

Mr. A insisted that standards should be unified. He said, "We are just waiting for an official notice that disposable cups can be used. I don't understand why the standards differ by local government," and pointed out, "Concerns about infection are the same for all citizens regardless of region."