Changwon Special City Launches Full-Scale 'Changwon Doldol e-Cup'

23 Cafes Including Sangnam-dong and Changwon University Area Participate
Initiative to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Waste Kicks Off

On the 14th, Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam conducted a campaign in the Sangnam-dong area to promote the use of the 'Changwon Doldol e-Cup'.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Song Jong-gu] Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam has officially launched the smarter ‘Changwon Doldol e-Cup’ from the 14th to reduce the rapidly increasing amount of disposable plastic waste.

So far, the use of Changwon Doldol Cups has reduced 40,465 disposable cups, cut carbon emissions by 931 kg, and had the effect of planting 141 trees.

However, the existing Changwon Doldol Cup, which operated in an analog manner, revealed the problem of not achieving 100% returns. To address this and make it easy for all citizens to use, the city has promoted the Changwon Doldol e-Cup project.

The Changwon Doldol e-Cup requires a deposit of 1,000 KRW per cup, which is refunded immediately upon return. A QR code is attached to the bottom of the cup, and the system uses a dedicated app. A total of 23 locations, including cafes and GS25 convenience stores in the commercial area of Sangnam-dong with high foot traffic and around Changwon National University where many young people proficient in mobile operations reside, have expressed their intention to participate. The pilot operation will run until the end of December.

First, download the ‘e-Cup’ app on your mobile phone and sign up as a member. If you register by the end of the pilot period in December, the city will provide a free deposit credit of 2,000 KRW. The app allows you to check the status of partner stores, locations, and deposit balances.

After ordering a drink at a partner store, scan ‘My QR Code’ on the reader, and the deposit of 1,000 KRW will be deducted.

When returning the cup, scan the QR code attached to the bottom of the cup on the reader, and the 1,000 KRW deposit will be refunded immediately. The return process takes only 5 seconds, and returns can be made at any Changwon Doldol e-Cup partner store.

The 23 cafes available for use in the Sangnam-dong area are ▲Yudong Coffee Sangnam Branch ▲Cafe Cozy Sangnam Branch ▲Coffee Mama Queen Sangnam Branch ▲Cafe 051 Sangnam Fountain Branch ▲Droptop Sangnam Branch ▲Ediya Coffee Sangnam Sunshine Branch ▲Ediya Coffee Sangnam Central ▲Daom ▲Hasam-dong Sangnam Branch ▲The Venti Sangnam Branch ▲Ediya Coffee Changwon Citizens Gymnasium.

Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam will officially implement the Changwon Doldol e-Cup starting from the 14th.

Around Changwon National University, the cafes are ▲Caffe Bene ▲Cafe Monsun ▲Jasmine Coffee 2nd Branch ▲Bongdabang ▲Cafe CCD ▲Kappa ▲Cheongnyeon Dabang ▲Changwon National University Central Library Cafe ▲Bongnim Cafe ▲GS25 Changwon National University Branch.

Other locations include ▲GS25 Changwon Sports Park, Sinwol-dong ▲Sermona Church Elly Cafe.

To encourage citizen participation, the city recruited 88 first-term supporters and held a campaign for the use of ‘Changwon Doldol e-Cup’ in the Sangnam-dong area on the same day.

Hong Nam-pyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, said, “Using a reusable cup instead of a disposable cup reduces carbon emissions by 23g each time it is used. We ask that you refrain from using disposable cups as much as possible.” He added, “Please actively participate in value consumption for the environment by carrying a personal tumbler or using the Changwon Doldol e-Cup for the sake of myself, us, and future generations.”

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