Guro-gu Installs Reusable Cup Return Machines

Reusable Cup Return Machine Installed at Guro-gu Office

Guro District Office Introduces Reusable Cup Return Machines at Coffee Shop (CAFE95)

Expected Annual Reduction of 22,994 kg of Single-Use Products Within the Office Building

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Guro District (District Mayor Moon Heon-il) announced that it will install and operate reusable cup return machines at the district office coffee shop to reduce the use of single-use products and create an eco-friendly office environment.

The district office coffee shop (CAFE95), operated as an employee welfare facility, has completely restricted the use of single-use products since January 16, following the government's policy banning single-use cups in public institutions and limiting single-use products in cafes.

Accordingly, the district installed two reusable cup return machines inside the district office cafe, initiating the campaign to create a "Single-Use Cup-Free Office."

When ordering a beverage at the cafe, customers are provided with reusable cups, and after use, they return the empty cups through unmanned return machines. These cups are then collected by a specialized company, thoroughly cleaned, and supplied back to the cafe for reuse.

The deposit fee (1,000 KRW) charged when ordering a drink in a reusable cup can be refunded immediately upon return, either in cash or through points and payment methods such as Happy Habit points, T-money, and Payco, which can be used like cash.

According to the district, an average of about 200 single-use cups were used daily at the district office cafe last year. Replacing these with reusable cups is expected to reduce the use of single-use products by 22,994 kg annually.

A Guro District official stated, "Since only about 18% of customers brought their own tumblers, we expect that introducing reusable cups will significantly reduce single-use product usage," adding, "We will continue to actively engage in small but meaningful changes such as reducing single-use product consumption."