"War on Disposable Products"... Gangseo-gu Takes Innovative Steps to Reduce Usage

Use of Reusable Containers During Festivals, Tumbler Washers Installed in Government Buildings

Tumbler washer recently installed by Gangseo-gu Office in Seoul (Photo by Gangseo-gu Office)

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon) is taking the lead in practicing carbon neutrality by reducing the use of disposable products in the public sector and is promoting various related policies.

Since May, Gangseo-gu has inspected the use of disposable products at over 9,000 food service establishments and provided guidance on the regulations for disposable product use that will take effect from the 24th of next month.

Additionally, at this month's Heo Jun Festival, a representative local festival, reusable bowls, spoons, forks, and other reusable utensils were used to drastically reduce the massive amount of waste generated at each event. Recently, 'tumbler sterilization washers' were installed at the district office main building and the Gayang-dong annex.

The installation of the washers aims to encourage the use of personal tumblers instead of disposable cups. Through these efforts, the district is conducting various activities both internally and externally to promote the reduction of disposable product use with the goal of achieving 'carbon neutrality by 2050.'

At various meetings and events, the use of reusable products is encouraged instead of disposable ones, and weekly announcements about campaigns to reduce disposable product use are broadcast within the government office to actively encourage employee participation. District Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon stated, “We will actively strive to spread the culture of reducing disposable product use throughout the entire local community.”