Gangbuk-gu Restarts Complete Ban on Single-Use Items in Public Institutions... Challenge for 'Zero Single-Use Item Usage'

Prohibition of Use and Entry in Public Institutions, Private Consignment, and Social Welfare Facilities... Leading from the Public Sector to Expand into the Private Sector... Production of Promotional Videos and Sending Cooperation Letters to Residents

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gangbuk-gu (District Mayor Park Gyeom-su) has launched a campaign to reduce the use of disposable products in daily life.

As the first step, the district fully reinstated the ban on the use and introduction of disposable products within public institutions starting last month. This is to set an example in the public sector first and then expand participation to the private sector.

The ban on disposable products was initially implemented in 2019 but was temporarily suspended from February last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Within public buildings, the use of disposable plates, cups, plastic bags, PET bottles, and umbrella plastic covers is prohibited. Visitors can only enter the building if they dispose of cups and residues in the ‘Disposable Cup Collection Box.’

Disposable products are also prohibited during meetings and events. Public officials must use personal cups, and beverages are served in reusable cups to visitors to the building.

The mandatory facilities include public buildings such as the district office, community service centers, health centers, as well as the Urban Management Corporation and affiliated organizations. Related institutions such as police stations, fire stations, schools, kindergartens, private consignment facilities, and social welfare facilities have agreed to normalize the use of reusable products.

The district will also produce promotional videos containing daily guidelines for reducing disposable product use.

Additionally, a cooperation letter urging participation in the ‘District-wide Citizen Campaign to Reduce Disposable Products’ will be sent to all households. Promotion will focus mainly on food service establishments such as general restaurants and coffee shops.

The videos and cooperation letters include ▲ proactive practice starting from the public sector ▲ making the use of reusable products a daily habit to reduce waste generation ▲ correct methods for separating transparent PET bottles and plastic waste. The videos will be available on the district’s website, promotional electronic billboards, and various other media.

Park Gyeom-su, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “The temporary allowance of disposable product use due to COVID-19 has led to a sharp increase nationwide, and we can no longer stand by. We hope residents will join forces to make reducing disposable products a lifestyle and establish it as a routine culture.”

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