Restriction on Single-Use Products in Food Service Establishments Starting from the 1st
Focus on Promotion Over Fines Initially
Increasing Waste... Average Daily Waste Generation in 2020 Reaches 540,872 Tons
According to the Ministry of Environment on the 1st, from this day forward, disposable products cannot be used in food service establishments such as cafes and restaurants, and reusable items are also prohibited. Photo by Jang Sehee jangsay@
[Asia Economy Reporters Byungseon Gong, Gyumin Oh] "I was going to get a takeout, but I’m surprised that disposable cups are not provided (at the cafe)."
"COVID-19 is still not under control, but it seems like they are forcing environmental policies."
Starting from the 1st, disposable items can no longer be used in cafes and restaurants. This is a policy by the Ministry of Environment in response to the significant increase in disposable waste since the spread of COVID-19. However, both employees and customers at cafes and restaurants expressed dissatisfaction with this policy.
From this day forward, disposable products cannot be used inside food service establishments such as cafes and restaurants, and reusable items must be used instead. Additionally, disposable bags and shopping bags cannot be provided free of charge. However, disposable paper cups, plastic straws, and stirring sticks will be added to the list of regulated disposable items starting November 24, so they can still be used until then.
On the 1st, single-use items were not allowed inside a fast food restaurant in front of Korea University. Only reusable cups were stacked in the area for collecting leftover food. / Photo by Gong Byungseon mydillon@
Following the Ministry of Environment’s guidelines, cafes and restaurants took action. At a fast-food outlet near Korea University, when a customer requested a drink in a disposable cup, the staff firmly said it was only available for takeout packaging. Plastic straws were also removed from use inside the store.
When a customer asked for a straw, the fast-food employee explained, “Due to the Ministry of Environment’s guidelines, it might be inconvenient,” and added, “Straws are only provided for takeout orders.” At the area for collecting leftover food inside the fast-food restaurant, there were no disposable items, only reusable cups piled up.
The same applied to cafes. A cafe near Chungmuro Station in Seoul, frequented by office workers, posted notices about disposable item restrictions at the ordering counter. Unlike before, when they asked whether disposable items were needed, they now only asked customers if they would be dining in.
Some customers expressed concerns about COVID-19 infection. A 30-year-old office worker, Mr. A, said, “If cafes do not properly clean the cups, there could be hygiene issues such as COVID-19 infection,” and added, “COVID-19 is still not under control, so it feels like they are forcing environmental policies.” However, a 20-year-old job seeker, Ms. B, said, “I usually study at cafes and thought there was too much waste generated,” and added, “Considering environmental issues, the restrictions should have been implemented sooner.”
On the 1st, a customer is receiving a drink in a reusable cup at a cafe near Chungmuro Station in Seoul. / Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@
The Ministry of Environment has enforced a law banning the use of disposable items inside food service establishments since August 2018. After COVID-19 began spreading in February 2020, local governments regulated the use of disposable items in food service establishments according to their respective situations.
However, waste generation has significantly increased since COVID-19. According to the Korea Environment Corporation under the Ministry of Environment, the average daily waste generation in 2020 was tentatively estimated at 540,872 tons, the largest ever recorded. Furthermore, as the spread of COVID-19 has slowed, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) is easing quarantine measures from the 4th, increasing the maximum number of private gatherings from 8 to 10 people and extending business hours for multi-use facilities from 11 p.m. to midnight.
Although restrictions on disposable item use have resumed, the Ministry of Environment’s policy is to focus on promotion rather than strict regulation for now. Inspections will focus on guidance and advice to businesses rather than imposing fines.
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