Gwangju Seo-gu Launches Campaign for Public Officials to Achieve 'Zero Single-Use Items' Usage

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Seo Daeseok) announced on the 1st that it conducted a 'Zero Use of Disposable Products' campaign targeting employees on their way to work on the 30th of last month.

The campaign, held in the first-floor lobby of the government building, was promoted to reduce the use of recyclable products within the public sector due to the recent surge in recyclable product usage caused by COVID-19.

With the temporary allowance of disposable products and social distancing measures leading to increased use of disposables, public institutions made self-initiated efforts to address this issue.

Since January this year, Seo-gu has been the first among the five autonomous districts of Gwangju to promote a 'Zero Use of Disposable Products' movement within the government building.

The initiative aims to prevent resource waste and environmental pollution caused by excessive use of disposable products by public institutions, mainly by banning the use and bringing in of disposable cups within the building.

Instead of disposable cups and PET bottles in offices, employees are encouraged to use personal mugs, and during meetings and events, reusable cups and large water dispensers are provided to reduce disposable product use.

To establish the system, a reusable product rental service lending stainless steel cups, handled cups, bowls, and water dispensers is operated, and automatic cup washers with sterilizers and water purifiers are installed in meeting rooms to promote zero use of disposable products.

Going forward, the district plans to actively promote and closely manage the culture of zero disposable product use within the government building to ensure its establishment.

An official from Seo-gu's Cleaning Administration Department said, "With the prolonged COVID-19 situation, the use of recyclable products has increased, leading to a significant rise in waste," and added, "We hope all Seo-gu public officials will take the lead in actively reducing disposable product use both at work and at home."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.