"Small and Medium Business Recovery Period Needed"
Pilot Project Launched to Minimize Confusion
A coffee shop located in a government office building in Seoul is mostly used by public officials, but the use of disposable cups such as plastic cups inside the store remains unchanged. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The implementation of the disposable cup deposit system has been postponed by six months to December 1.
The Ministry of Environment announced on the 20th that this decision was made following a meeting with franchise store owners of food and beverage brands.
The Ministry of Environment explained, "Considering that small business owners who have endured the downturn caused by COVID-19 need a recovery period, the implementation will be deferred," adding, "During the deferral period, we will prepare measures to alleviate the burden caused by the disposable cup deposit system."
The disposable cup deposit system requires customers to pay a deposit of 300 won when receiving a beverage in a disposable cup at cafes and other establishments, which is refunded upon returning the cup. The purpose is to increase the collection rate of disposable cups, thereby raising the recycling rate and ultimately reducing the use of disposable cups.
Originally, this system was scheduled to be implemented on July 10 at approximately 38,000 stores of 105 brands with more than 100 franchise stores.
However, franchise store owners strongly opposed the implementation due to financial and operational burdens, and the ruling party requested a postponement, leading to the delay.
Previously, the disposable cup deposit system was introduced in June 2020 following the revision of the "Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources" (Resource Recycling Act), and according to the supplementary provisions of the law, its implementation had already been postponed to June 10 of this year.
Last month, ahead of the reimplementation of disposable product usage regulations in food service establishments on July 1, the Presidential Transition Committee proposed a postponement of enforcement. After consultations with the committee, the Ministry of Environment decided to delay enforcement and not impose fines until the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
Instead, to reduce confusion on the ground, the Ministry of Environment is considering promoting a pilot project for the disposable cup deposit system.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
