Sejong City Reduces Greenhouse Gases by 13.6 Tons at Hangeul Festival Visited by 310,000 People

First Local Festival to Fully Introduce Reusable Containers
Achieving Both Carbon Neutrality and Enjoyment: A Truly Eco-Friendly Festival

During the Sejong Hangeul Festival, the active introduction of reusable containers led to a reduction of 13.6 tons of greenhouse gases, making the festival environmentally friendly.

Reusable container return area set up at the Sejong Hangeul Festival site. / Provided by the Environmental Greenery Bureau Resource Circulation Division

According to Sejong City on October 17, the Sejong Hangeul Festival, held at Sejong Lake Park from October 9 to 11, implemented the full-scale use of reusable containers for the first time among local festivals to curb the use of disposable products and achieve carbon neutrality.

Fifteen food trucks at the "Four Wheels Restaurant" were supported to use ten types of reusable cups and food containers instead of disposable items. Four return booths were operated to facilitate the return of reusable containers by citizens. As a result, 310,000 visitors to the festival actively participated in using and returning reusable containers, demonstrating high environmental awareness and contributing to carbon neutrality.

According to the tally, a total of 115,540 reusable containers were used during the festival, including 50,590 food containers, 19,050 reusable cups, and 45,900 pieces of tableware.

The city analyzed that, based on the Ministry of Environment's greenhouse gas reduction unit guidelines, the use of food containers and reusable cups (excluding tableware) resulted in a reduction of approximately 13.6 tons of greenhouse gases.

This figure is equivalent to the amount of carbon absorbed in one year by 3,480 20-year-old pine trees in the central region, demonstrating that the Sejong Hangeul Festival achieved a tangible carbon reduction effect in terms of environmental friendliness.

Jin Ikho, head of the Resource Circulation Division, said, "This was a site where citizens directly participated in resource circulation and eco-friendly practices," adding, "We will create a carbon-neutral, resource-circulating city together with citizens by expanding the use of reusable containers and establishing a culture of reuse."