Gangneung City will implement its first "customized reusable cup deposit system" next month, marking a first for the region. The Ministry of Environment expects that the introduction of this system will result in a reduction of 1 million single-use cups annually.
On the 19th, the Ministry of Environment announced that it had signed a voluntary agreement for the implementation of the "Gangneung City Customized Reusable Cup Deposit System" with Gangwon Province, Gangneung City, the Resource Circulation Deposit Management Center, and coffee shops in Gangneung. Gangneung City is the first local government to implement the reusable cup deposit system across its entire region. According to the Ministry of Environment, once the system is launched on July 5, it will be possible to reduce more than 1 million single-use cups each year.
The single-use cup deposit system was originally scheduled to be implemented nationwide in June 2022. However, the full rollout was postponed due to COVID-19, and in December of the same year, it was only piloted in Jeju and Sejong. Later, the Ministry of Environment scrapped its plan for mandatory nationwide implementation and announced that the cup deposit system would be expanded voluntarily. Until now, the system has only been additionally introduced in closed spaces such as amusement parks or in certain coffee brand stores.
Going forward in Gangneung, when customers order drinks to-go, they will pay a deposit of 1,000 won and receive their beverage in a reusable cup. Used cups can be returned either at the store or via unmanned return machines. The deposit can be refunded in cash at the store or transferred to a bank account via text message. Separately, when consumers use a reusable cup for takeout, they will receive a carbon neutrality point of 300 won per cup.
Additionally, to make cup returns more convenient for customers, 30 unmanned return machines will be installed at key locations such as tourist sites. The locations of these machines will be continuously adjusted based on the volume of cup returns and customer traffic. Cups returned at stores and through unmanned return machines will be collected twice daily by specialized staff, washed the same day, and then supplied back to the stores.
On the other hand, when customers drink beverages inside the store, they will be served in reusable cups without being charged a deposit. In-store cups will be ivory-colored, while takeout cups will be transparent, clearly distinguishing between the two types.
However, since this is the initial phase of the system, some exceptions will be allowed, and the system will be operated flexibly. For example, if there is no place to return reusable cups along a tourist’s route and single-use cups are requested, or if an order is placed via a delivery platform, the use of reusable cups will not be required.
The Ministry of Environment stated that since January, it has formed a working group with local coffee shop owners and held more than 10 on-site meetings and discussions. In particular, considering that Gangneung is a tourist destination with a high concentration of coffee shops, the ministry explained that it has been discussing practical measures to reduce the burden on both owners and consumers.
Kim Wansub, Minister of Environment, said, "This agreement, which was voluntarily designed with participation from both the public and private sectors, will serve as a strong starting point for spreading a culture of reducing single-use products nationwide in the future," adding, "The Ministry of Environment will also spare no effort in providing institutional support and promoting the policy."
Meanwhile, the signing ceremony was attended by Kim Wansub, Minister of Environment, Jeong Gwangyeol, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of Gangwon Province, Kim Hongkyu, Mayor of Gangneung, and Park Yongkyu, Chairman of the Resource Circulation Deposit Management Center.
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