Seocho-gu Extends Free Food Waste Collection for Small Restaurants Until March

General and Rest Area Food Establishments: Over 7,500 Locations (Store Area Under 200㎡) Receive Total Tax Reduction of 1.9 Billion KRW, Averaging 254,000 KRW per Business

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Jo) will extend the free food waste collection service, currently provided to about 7,500 small restaurants, until March to ease the financial burden on small business owners struggling due to COVID-19.

The district started the free food waste collection in May last year due to COVID-19 and extended it once until December, providing the service free of charge for eight months.

However, due to the third wave of COVID-19, with the extension of social distancing level 2.5 in the metropolitan area and restrictions on gatherings, small business owners have been hit hard. To offer some relief, the district decided to further extend the free food waste collection period.

If extended until March this year, the total exemption amount will be approximately 1.9 billion KRW, with each business benefiting by an average of 254,000 KRW.

The free collection applies to about 7,500 general and casual restaurants with a store area of less than 200㎡. During the free collection period, businesses can dispose of food waste in the designated containers without attaching a fee payment sticker, and the district will collect it free of charge.

A restaurant owner operating in Seocho-gu, Mr. A, said, "The situation is much tougher now than at the beginning of COVID-19. The exemption from food waste disposal fees provided by the district is the most tangible help for running my business," expressing his appreciation.

Seocho-gu Mayor Eunhee Jo said, "Given the severe impact of COVID-19, we could not ignore the appeals to extend the free collection for small restaurants in the district," adding, "We hope this additional extension of free food waste collection support will be a source of strength to overcome the difficulties caused by COVID-19."

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