Map Service Visualizing Information of Over 70 Zero Waste Stores Across Seoul
Sharing Store Information by Type, Waste Reduction Practices... Minimizing Trash Output, Promoting Eco-Friendly Consumption
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 19th, Seoul City announced that it will provide location information of over 70 zero-waste stores?including cafes, restaurants, refill shops, and eco-friendly daily necessities stores?that are leading efforts to reduce household waste by minimizing the use of disposable products and packaging or by selling products in bulk or refillable forms, through Seoul’s digital map service.
Previously, citizens interested in eco-friendly consumption or environmental pollution issues had to search for zero-waste store information individually on portals, but from now on, they will be able to easily find zero-waste stores in their neighborhoods and use them in daily life. This is the first time a local government has provided zero-waste store information via a digital map. Seoul City plans to minimize waste generation to prevent environmental pollution and further promote eco-friendly consumption habits.
By selecting the ‘Zero Waste’ icon directly on the first screen of the ‘Smart Seoul Map,’ users can check on the map which neighborhood and location the desired type of store?such as cafes, restaurants, refill shops, and eco-friendly daily necessities stores?is located. Clicking on each store icon provides additional information such as the store name, contact details, homepage, and SNS accounts.
In particular, by clicking on the detailed view, users can see operating hours, items sold, and zero-waste practice records in detail. For cafes, it is possible to find places that offer discounts on drinks when using reusable cups or minimize the use of disposable products. For refill shops, users can check stores where detergents, shampoos, etc., can be portioned into reusable containers.
Seoul City will continue to update the zero-waste store list within the ‘Smart Seoul Map.’ New zero-waste store registrations or updates to existing store information can be applied for online through the ‘Seoul Environmental Education Portal.’ The forms for new store registration or existing store information updates are posted on the Seoul Environmental Education Portal → News & Notices → Districts, Institutions & Organizations Bulletin Board.
Meanwhile, Seoul City is also preparing a ‘Zero Waste Store Certification System’ to promote waste reduction. By February next year, certification standards will be established, and from the first half of next year, stores that meet the standards will be provided with zero-waste plaques and receive administrative support such as promotion through Seoul City’s official SNS.
In addition, Seoul City plans to continue policies to revitalize zero-waste stores so that a virtuous cycle structure can be established where more businesses participate in zero waste to encourage eco-friendly consumption by citizens, such as promoting the use of reusable containers, while also gaining citizens’ choices.
Jung Mi-seon, Director of the Resource Circulation Division of Seoul City, said, “Through the zero-waste store information registered on the Seoul Map, eco-friendly consumption can be tried more conveniently. We will manage the service so that citizens who want to practice zero waste in daily life, such as selling without packaging and using reusable containers, will continuously use it.”
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