Reduce Single-Use Delivery Containers by Using 'Nae Geureut' When Ordering Takeout via Public Delivery Apps WemakepriceO and Meokkebi
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that starting from the 1st, it will launch the ‘Use My Own Container Campaign’ in collaboration with the Korea Environment Corporation’s Seoul Metropolitan Western Environment Headquarters under the Ministry of Environment, Seoul’s public delivery apps Wemakeprice O and Meokkebi, the Korea Franchise Association, reusable container manufacturer SGC Solution, and the Seoul Environmental Movement Federation.
This campaign is being promoted to reduce the increasing household waste caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of delivery culture, aiming to create a Seoul free of single-use plastics. On the 4th of last month, Seoul signed a business agreement for the ‘Use My Own Container Campaign’ to reduce single-use items with the Korea Environment Corporation’s Seoul Metropolitan Western Environment Headquarters, Seoul Environmental Movement Federation, Korea Franchise Industry Association, SGC Solution, Wemakeprice O, and Meokkebi.
The ‘Use My Own Container Campaign’ encourages customers to bring their own containers to stores when placing takeout (pickup) orders through ‘Wemakeprice O’ and ‘Meokkebi’ apps, so that food can be packed in their own containers instead of disposable delivery containers. By using personal containers instead of delivery containers, the campaign aims to reduce single-use delivery packaging. Participating citizens can receive benefits such as free drinks or discounts.
To participate, customers can check the ‘Stores Accepting Own Containers’ on the app, then write ‘Use My Own Container’ in the customer request section when placing a takeout order. When visiting the store, they simply bring their own container. Each franchise offers benefits such as free drinks or price discounts. Besides ordering through delivery apps, customers can also visit stores with the ‘Stores Accepting Own Containers’ sticker directly to participate in the campaign.
The campaign involves 8 franchises affiliated with the Korea Franchise Association and 151 franchise stores in Seoul. These include Ttangsu Budae Jjigae (48 stores), Gamtan Tteokbokki (43 stores), Geoljag Tteokbokki Chicken (39 stores), Daltokki’s Tteokbokki Suction Zone (1 store), Yamsaem Gimbap (12 stores), Samdae Jokbal (6 stores), Gamaro Gangjeong (1 store), and Kim Young-hee Dongtae Jjim & Kodari Naengmyeon (1 store).
In addition to benefits like free drinks and discounts, an event will be held throughout June, the campaign’s launch month. Customers who certify their reviews of using their own containers through the official Glasslock mall and the Wemakeprice O and Meokkebi delivery apps will be entered into a draw. One hundred winners (20 per week) will receive Glasslock pickup containers.
Meanwhile, to encourage widespread citizen participation, Seoul is broadcasting promotional videos for the campaign on monitors in 1,7053 elevators across 1,528 apartment complexes throughout the city. Promotional flyers have also been posted in restaurants, and ‘Stores Accepting Own Containers’ stickers have been distributed. Stickers will also be provided to restaurants wishing to participate in the campaign to enable citizens to use more stores.
Jung Mi-seon, Director of the Resource Circulation Division at Seoul City, said, “The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the expansion of delivery culture have caused a sharp increase in single-use item usage, making household waste disposal a serious social issue. We ask for the interest and active participation of citizens in this small but meaningful campaign to use personal containers at least for delivery app takeout orders.”
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