No Wooden Chopsticks Allowed for Direct Cooking
Disposable Items Provided When Purchasing Finished Products
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] As the government has started to fully restrict the use of disposable items in stores such as cafes and restaurants from the 1st, attention is focusing on the regulation of disposable items in convenience stores, where there are no separate reusable utensils.
According to the Ministry of Environment, from this day forward, the "Enforcement Rules of the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources," which restricts the use of disposable items in food service establishments, will be implemented. Accordingly, disposable items such as △disposable plastic cups △disposable plates and containers △wooden chopsticks △toothpicks △disposable spoons, forks, and knives △vinyl tablecloths are prohibited from being used inside food service establishments starting today.
Convenience stores registered as "rest food service businesses" are also included in food service establishments. Convenience stores are registered as rest food service businesses if they sell ready-to-eat foods such as fried chicken pieces and hot bars. According to the industry, about 60-70% of the approximately 50,000 franchise stores nationwide are registered as rest food service businesses.
Since many people, such as teenagers and job seekers, rely on convenience stores for a meal, confusion is expected regarding the regulation of disposable items in convenience stores. In fact, according to Seoul City, among the total expenditure of 33.7 billion KRW on the Dream Tree Card provided to children at risk of food insecurity last year, 49% (16.7 billion KRW) was spent at convenience stores.
According to the related industry, disposable items such as disposable wooden chopsticks and spoons can be provided to customers who purchase finished products like cup noodles, lunch boxes, and spoonable yogurt. Use inside the store for eating is also allowed.
However, customers purchasing freshly prepared instant foods at the store cannot use disposable items such as wooden chopsticks inside the store. Disposable items can be provided for takeout, but their use is prohibited when eating inside the store.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment announced that it will not immediately enforce the disposable item restrictions in food service establishments but will provide a guidance period. A Ministry of Environment official stated, "The guidance period is flexible until the COVID-19 situation eases, and the end date will be sufficiently notified in advance."
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