Yangpyeong County Uses 205,000 Reusable Containers at Wild Vegetable Festival... Eco-Friendly Festival a 'Success'
by Lee jonggu
Published 28 Apr.2026 11:47(KST)
Yangpyeong County in Gyeonggi Province announced on April 28 that it successfully concluded the 16th Yongmunsan Wild Vegetable Festival, held over three days from April 24 to 26, by using 205,000 reusable containers. With this achievement, the county took another step towards carbon neutrality by hosting an eco-friendly festival.
This year’s festival set a goal of “zero carbon,” completely eliminating the use of single-use products throughout the venue. The county strengthened resource circulation practices by introducing a wide range of reusable containers-including plates, noodle bowls, rice bowls, soup bowls, and cups-primarily at food booths. The use of reusable containers was also expanded to agricultural specialty product booths, further spreading their adoption across the entire festival.
A total of 205,000 reusable containers were used during the festival, resulting in a reduction of approximately 10 tons of carbon emissions. Waste generation was also reduced by more than 90%, greatly enhancing the effectiveness of resource circulation efforts.
The exhibition and hands-on experience space for reusable containers drew a steady stream of visitors, who showed strong interest in the container lineup and various ways to use them. Inquiries about purchasing the custom-made reusable containers, which reflect the unique characteristics of Yangpyeong, added to the anticipation regarding their potential applications.
To make it easy for visitors to return cups and tableware, dedicated collection bins for reusable containers were installed throughout the festival grounds, encouraging voluntary participation. As a result, the entire process-from use to collection-operated smoothly, and the resource circulation system functioned effectively on site.
With the use of reusable containers firmly established in festival operations, both booth operators and visitors embraced an atmosphere of reducing single-use product consumption. One visitor remarked, “Returning the containers myself made me feel like I was truly protecting the environment. It was meaningful, and I was happy to take part in an eco-friendly festival.”
A food booth representative added, “Not only was the burden of dishwashing reduced, but I also felt rewarded by contributing to environmental protection by not using single-use products.”
A county official stated, “The use of reusable containers at all our festivals-including the Gorosoe Festival, Sansuyu Hanwoo Festival, and Nuri Spring Festival, as well as this wild vegetable festival-has become a national model. We will continue to expand Yangpyeong County’s resource circulation policies and practices in the future.”
Meanwhile, the county plans to further expand the use of reusable containers at upcoming events, including the Wheat Festival, Watermelon Festival, Chive Festival, and Fermentation Festival.
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