Application to Public Institution-Hosted Events Starting Next Year
From now on, the use of disposable products will be completely banned in Incheon City and its affiliated public institutions. The city announced on the 4th that it has amended the 'Disposable Products Usage Restriction Ordinance' to include this content.
Incheon City, which is making every effort to reduce disposable waste, established the 'Expanded Implementation Plan to Reduce Disposable Products Usage' last February and has been promoting the amendment of the ordinance to provide institutional support for expanding implementation to public institutions under the city.
The ordinance specifies the promotion plan for restricting disposable product use in public institutions, including the spread of reusable products, and strengthens the restriction on disposable product use at public institution-hosted events and office operations from 'recommendation' to 'obligation.' Additionally, it mandates the prohibition of disposable product use by businesses operating within public institutions and establishes a basis for financial support to businesses with excellent implementation performance.
The ordinance will take effect from the 17th, prohibiting the use of disposable products in Incheon City and its affiliated public corporations, public enterprises, and invested and funded institutions. Furthermore, from next year, the use of disposable products will be obligatorily banned at indoor and outdoor events and meetings hosted by these public institutions. This is based on the Incheon City ordinance and does not apply to the 10 districts and counties.
Reusable cup rental and return stations and tumbler washers installed at Incheon City Hall Photo by Incheon City
Previously, to practice reducing disposable products in the public sector, the city installed reusable cup rental and return stations at 17 locations and tumbler washing machines at 11 locations, establishing infrastructure throughout the offices to use reusable cups. With this ordinance amendment, the city plans to further expand these efforts.
In addition, the city plans to actively support the use of reusable containers at large festivals such as the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival and INK Concert to help expand the culture of reducing disposable products into the citizen culture.
An official from Incheon City said, "Previously, the focus was on properly sorting disposable products for appropriate recycling, but now we must reduce waste generation itself," adding, "Let us create a resource-circulating city with active participation not only from public institutions but also from the private sector."
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