Top and Outstanding Stores Selected, Awarded Certification Plaques
"Customers Can Enjoy Their Meals Warm, Which Is Great"
City Has Supported Reusable Container Delivery Since 2021
Delivery Orders Increased by Over 30,000 in One Year
Thanks to Seoul Metropolitan Government's "Reusable Container Delivery Support Project," the number of reusable container orders increased by 30,000 this year alone. The city plans to continue supporting the initiative by identifying stores with high volumes of reusable container orders and sharing their best practices.
On December 29, the city announced that, together with its project partner Itgreen, it had selected the best and outstanding stores with the highest number of reusable container delivery orders this year. The selected stores received plaques certifying their excellence and cash prizes. This event was organized to instill pride in stores offering reusable container services and to promote awareness of reusable container delivery by sharing exemplary cases.
A Malatang restaurant selected as the Best Reusable Container Delivery Store by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Itgreen is preparing delivery food using reusable containers. Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government
Jang Yunkyung, who runs the top-rated store "Malayeong Eunpyeong Branch," said, "After seeing reusable containers being used in the media, I wanted to participate, so I introduced reusable container delivery. Since then, I no longer worry about excessive use of disposable containers." She added, "Since the reusable containers are made of stainless steel, customers can enjoy their food warm, just as it was cooked, which is an advantage over disposable containers."
She also mentioned that there were no major difficulties in learning how to use reusable containers as a business owner. Jang said, "At first, it was difficult because the reusable container option on the order slip was not very noticeable, but now I am used to it and there are no problems. Customer satisfaction is quite high, to the point that some customers say they will cancel their order if reusable containers are not available."
Since 2021, the city has been promoting the reusable container delivery support project by selecting specialized service providers as partners and subsidizing service operation costs such as washing and logistics. As a result, reusable container delivery has expanded throughout Seoul. The number of districts offering reusable container delivery increased from five in 2022 to 20 this year. The number of orders has also risen annually, from about 29,000 in 2022, to about 128,000 last year, and approximately 158,000 orders by November this year. The number of stores offering reusable container delivery has also diversified, increasing from 70 at the beginning of the project to 2,764 now.
The reusable containers for delivery are made of stainless steel, which not only reduces the use of disposable products but also eliminates concerns about microplastics and endocrine disruptors. They also have superior heat retention, helping to better preserve the taste of food. The containers come in a variety of sizes tailored to different types of food. Returned reusable containers go through a seven-step washing process before being reused. After washing, they are subject to a secondary inspection, making them more hygienic than disposable containers, which are provided without any cleaning process, according to the city. In fact, citizens who have used reusable container delivery commented, "The containers were clean and I felt safe from endocrine disruptors," and "Eating from reusable containers made the food warmer and made me feel more valued."
Jang Yunkyung, the owner of the Malatang restaurant selected as the Best Reusable Container Delivery Store by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Itgreen. Provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government
Citizens can also earn "Carbon Neutrality Points" by using reusable container delivery. Carbon Neutrality Points are incentives awarded by the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment for eco-friendly activities, and can be used like cash.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is also expanding the use of reusable containers in outdoor spaces it operates. To improve the convenience of reusable container delivery in Hangang Park, two return bins were installed in Ttukseom last year and three in Yeouido this year. When ordering through a food delivery app, customers can select the "reusable container option," then return the containers after their meal by scanning a QR code and placing them in the designated return bin.
City-run facilities such as Seoul Medical Center's funeral hall and baseball stadiums have also been transformed into "disposable-free spaces." Food is served in reusable containers, and used containers are collected, washed by specialized companies, and reused. After the introduction of reusable containers, the Seoul Medical Center funeral hall saw an approximately 80% reduction in waste. The city plans to further expand reusable container delivery to all districts in Seoul next year.
A Malatang restaurant selected as the best reusable container delivery store by Seoul City and Itgreen is preparing delivery food using reusable containers. Provided by Seoul City
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