Jeju and Sejong Implement 'Single-Use Cup Deposit System' at 626 Locations...Franchise Chains Fully Prepared

Policy Notice Placement and Installation of Simple Collection Machines Ahead of Implementation
Starbucks Introduces Mandatory Use of Reusable Cups Since Last Year

A customer is returning a used reusable cup at a Starbucks store recently. Photo by Starbucks

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] The disposable cup deposit system, which was postponed several times due to insufficient policy preparation, will be first implemented in Jeju and Sejong from the 2nd. In anticipation of this, food and beverage franchise stores subject to the policy are making thorough preparations such as placing policy notices and installing simple collection machines.

According to the Ministry of Environment and industry sources on the 1st, the disposable cup deposit system will be implemented at 626 food and beverage franchise stores in Jeju and Sejong starting from the 2nd.

The disposable cup deposit system requires consumers to pay an additional resource circulation deposit of 300 won when purchasing food and beverages in disposable cups, which is refunded upon returning the cup. The system applies to food and beverage franchise stores with more than 100 franchise locations nationwide.

The government originally planned to implement this system nationwide in June. However, due to opposition claiming that "it is unfair for small business owners to bear all the inconvenience and hassle of the return and collection process," the implementation was postponed to this month. The plan is to start a pilot operation in Jeju and Sejong, monitor for about a year to address any side effects, and then expand nationwide.

With the delay in the system implementation period, franchises have taken advantage of the preparation time to thoroughly prepare by placing deposit policy notices in stores and installing simple collection machines.

Additionally, to increase consumer participation, QR code stickers that allow easy download of the resource circulation deposit application have been placed throughout the stores. When consumers use the simple collection machines, they return the cups directly and receive the deposit refund, so they must install the resource circulation deposit app, sign up as members, and register their bank accounts. The app allows users to check cup return locations, and once the cup return is completed, the deposit refund amount is deposited into the registered account.

Starbucks Korea independently introduced mandatory use of reusable cups at all its stores in Jeju Island starting December last year. As a result, as of the end of October, the usage of reusable cups was recorded at 3.77 million units, with a collection rate reaching 73%.

Ediya Coffee has been using plastic cups for iced beverages with unprinted embossing, which is easier to recycle, since 2019 as part of its eco-friendly policy.

Lotte GRS’s Angel-in-us and Lotteria have introduced paper straws and are replacing disposable bags used for beverage packaging with paper or reusable materials.

An industry official said, “During the preparation period, we have continuously informed consumers about the policy in stores, increasing consumer understanding and participation,” adding, “We will continue to monitor after the policy implementation and steadily prepare so that it can be smoothly carried out in stores outside Jeju and Sejong as well.”