Gwangjin-gu Promotes Leftover Reduction Project for General Restaurants

Support for Purchasing Side Dish Refrigerators and Food Waste Dehydrators for General Restaurants... Applications Open from July 1
Campaign to Reduce Leftovers Also Conducted... Distribution of Food Waste Notices at Restaurants and Group Meal Facilities

Gwangjin-gu (District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) is promoting the ‘Leftover Reduction Project for General Restaurants’ to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in daily life and create an eco-friendly food culture environment.

More than 80% of food waste is generated from small and large restaurants, and discarded food emits methane, one of the greenhouse gases, during the decomposition process. Last year, the total amount of food waste generated in Gwangjin-gu was 25 tons, and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by this is increasing every year.

Accordingly, the district is implementing a food waste reduction project targeting general restaurants and collective catering facilities.

First, general restaurants that have been in business for more than one year from the date of business registration will be supported with up to 500,000 KRW for purchasing side dish refrigerators and up to 200,000 KRW for purchasing food dehydrators. Businesses wishing to apply can visit the Gwangjin-gu Public Health Center’s Health and Hygiene Division between July 1 and 19 to apply.

In addition, a campaign for zero leftovers will be conducted. Staff from the Gwangjin-gu Public Health Center and food hygiene inspectors will jointly visit general restaurants and collective catering facilities to promote food waste reduction and distribute informational materials.

The campaign includes ▲ planned food ingredient purchases considering the number of customers and amount of leftovers ▲ use of multi-compartment containers to reduce side dishes ▲ packaging leftover food for customers to take home.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, “We support the purchase costs of side dish refrigerators for general restaurants so that restaurant customers can serve themselves less food,” and added, “We will continue to promote the food waste reduction project to encourage zero leftovers in daily life and do our best to raise residents’ awareness of carbon neutrality.”

Meanwhile, Gwangjin-gu held a ‘Zero Leftovers, Reducing Carbon Footprint’ event for Gwangjin-gu office employees last April, and in the second half of the year, it plans to conduct a leftover reduction campaign targeting general residents, making multifaceted efforts to create an eco-friendly food culture environment.