Delivery Food Containers to Be Replaced with Reusable Ones... Pilot Program Launched in Dongtan, Gyeonggi

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] A pilot project using reusable containers instead of disposable ones for delivery or takeout at restaurants in Dongtan 1 and 2 districts of Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, will be conducted.

On the afternoon of the 25th, the Ministry of Environment signed a 'Reusable Delivery and Takeout Container Usage Agreement' with Gyeonggi Province, Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi-do Corporation, Korea Foodservice Industry Association, and Green Korea United at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office. This agreement was prepared to reduce disposable containers mainly used for delivery and takeout due to the increase in food delivery as non-face-to-face consumption becomes routine, which has led to an increase in disposable plastic waste.

The pilot project will be implemented from July targeting restaurants in Dongtan 1 and 2 districts of Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, that wish to participate and use Gyeonggi Province's public delivery app 'Baedal Teukgeup'. Consumers can check restaurants using reusable containers through the Baedal Teukgeup app. They can either bring their own reusable containers to pack food or order food using reusable containers. After eating, the reusable containers used for delivery can be returned, and a specialized company will collect, wash, and supply them back to the restaurants.

The participating organizations aim to have more than 100 restaurants in the project area participate by the end of the year. They plan to evaluate and supplement the pilot project results and expand it to other regions.

Along with this pilot project, the Ministry of Environment will provide institutional and administrative support to reduce disposable items used in food delivery and takeout. A revision bill to the 'Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling Resources,' which restricts the provision of disposable items during food delivery and takeout, is planned to be submitted to the National Assembly within this month.

Han Jeong-ae, Minister of Environment, said, "With the rapid increase in disposable container use due to the non-face-to-face food consumption culture, it is time for the culture of using reusable containers to be established quickly, even if it is a little inconvenient. As the government, local governments, related industries, and civil society take the first step together, I hope this agreement will serve as an opportunity for the use of reusable delivery and takeout containers to spread among consumers and the entire foodservice industry."

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