Incheon City is taking the lead in reducing single-use products by expanding the use of reusable containers, starting from public offices to campsites, baseball stadiums, and even delivery apps.
On July 2, the city announced that it had recently completed the selection of private partners to participate in its support project for promoting the reuse of reusable containers. By the end of the year, the city aims to achieve a total of 2 million cycles of reusable container use, and will implement comprehensive support projects in both the public and private sectors. The city plans to increase the project budget by 33% compared to last year and expand the target usage of reusable containers by up to 75%.
In the case of public offices, a pilot program conducted last year at four locations within Incheon City Hall showed a significant decrease in the rate of single-use cup entry. As a result, the number of participating institutions will be expanded to eight, including city-affiliated offices and district offices. The city also plans to create "zero single-use product offices" by strengthening monitoring systems, such as tracking the amount of single-use products brought into offices in cooperation with environmental organizations.
Reusable cup rental and return stations and tumbler washers installed at Incheon City Hall. Provided by Incheon City
In the private sector, the city will simultaneously promote a reusable container service linked to delivery apps and a distribution project for reusable containers at multi-use facilities such as campsites and festivals. This year, the focus will be on increasing utilization in highly accessible locations for citizens, including Munhak Baseball Stadium (SSG Landers), Songdo Campsite, and major festival venues. The city will also establish an integrated operation system that connects collection, washing, and redistribution of reusable containers.
Last year, through its reusable container support project, the city achieved a reduction of approximately 20 tons of single-use household waste by using about 140,000 reusable cups and 1.35 million reusable containers. This year, the goal is to increase the use of reusable containers by up to 75% compared to last year, with targets of 300,000 reusable cups in public offices and 1.7 million reusable containers in the private sector.
The city will also encourage the use of reusable containers among Incheon citizens by conducting social network service (SNS) events for reusable container certification, operating experience groups, and running coffee truck campaigns. In addition, the city will strengthen hygiene and cleaning systems for reusable containers, storage boxes, and washing equipment by conducting weekly ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate) contamination tests.
During the 2025 professional baseball season, 31 food and beverage outlets at SSG Landers Field are using reusable containers, and the city plans to expand this initiative to major beverage brands within the stadium to encourage natural participation in citizens' daily lives. Starting this month, Songdo Sports Park Campsite will also introduce a free rental system for reusable container sets.
In the 2025 professional baseball season, 31 food and beverage outlets at SSG Landers Field are using reusable containers. Photo by Incheon City
By December, when the project ends, the city will conduct performance analysis and satisfaction surveys, and will consider making the use of reusable containers mandatory next year.
An official from Incheon City stated, "Our goal is not simply to supply reusable containers, but to design a city-wide resource circulation system that covers everything from use and return to washing and redistribution," adding, "The core of this project is to create changes that citizens can truly feel."
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