[On-site Video] "Worried About COVID-19" "Environmental Issues Too..." Mixed Opinions on First Day of Cafe and Restaurant 'Single-Use Items Ban'

Restrictions on Single-Use Items in Food Service Businesses Such as Cafes and Restaurants Starting from the 1st

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, PD Yoon Jin-geun] "Because of COVID-19, using disposable products feels more comfortable."

From the 1st, the use of disposable products in cafes and restaurants has been banned again. According to the Ministry of Environment, from this day forward, reusable products must be used inside food service establishments instead of disposable products.

The regulated items include disposable cups, plates, containers, disposable wooden chopsticks and toothpicks, disposable vinyl, and 18 other items of disposable tableware.

The issue is the concern over COVID-19 infection. There is anxiety that using in-store tableware instead of disposable products might risk COVID-19 infection.

Citizens met around Seocho-gu, Seoul on this day expressed agreement with environmental issues caused by disposable products but also showed concern about the spread of COVID-19.

Mr. Kim, a worker in his 60s, said, "Whether using in-store cups or disposable cups, the drinking experience is the same, but psychologically, using disposable products feels more comfortable."

Another worker, Mr. Park (36), emphasized, "From the perspective of someone who uses (disposable) cups a lot, reducing them one by one will definitely help the environment a lot."

Mr. Hwang (55), a self-employed cafe owner, said, "(Regarding customers using in-store tableware) everyone says it’s inconvenient. Customers use glass cups inside the store, and even if we give them plastic ones when they leave, they still find it inconvenient," adding, "For the earth, for myself, and for our descendants, we should use reusable containers instead of disposable products."

He continued, "(However) from a business perspective, since customers want (disposable products), we comply with their wishes," adding, "Even though my heart is not like that, business is tough because of COVID-19..."

Mr. Kim, a worker in his 40s, said, "Because of COVID-19, it’s naturally anxiety-inducing," and added, "Once COVID is definitely over, I think everyone will participate in the ban on disposable product use."

Previously, since August 2018, the Ministry of Environment banned the use of disposable products inside food service establishments, but at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in February 2020, local governments were temporarily allowed to permit disposable product use.

However, as household waste increased during the COVID-19 period, to reduce indiscriminate use of disposable products, the ban was reinstated, and the revised "Exclusion from Disposable Product Use Regulations" was announced in January this year.