Sejong Expands Reusable Cup Deposit System to 40 Locations

The reusable cup deposit system currently in place at cafes within the Government Sejong Complex will expand to nearby cafes in Sejong City. Customers will pay a deposit of 1,000 won when ordering drinks to go in reusable cups, which will be refunded upon return along with a carbon-neutral point of 300 won.

On October 19, the Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment announced that it will sign a memorandum of understanding with Sejong City, the Sejong City Council, and the Resource Circulation Society to facilitate the transition to reusable cups.

Currently, 20 cafes within the Government Sejong Complex participate in the deposit system. With this new agreement, an additional nine cafes near the Government Sejong Complex and eleven near Sejong City Hall will join, bringing the total to 40 participating locations.

When customers order drinks to go at participating cafes, the 1,000 won deposit will be added to the drink price. Used cups can be returned at participating stores or through unmanned return machines. Customers using the unmanned machines can receive their deposit refunds via their mobile phones.

The carbon-neutral points awarded for returning cups are 300 won each. To receive these points, users must register on the carbon-neutral point website and the reusable cup operator's website or application to track their returns.

To enhance convenience for returns, unmanned return machines will also be installed in public institutions, busy parking lots, bus stops, and surrounding commercial areas. Collected cups will undergo ultrasonic and high-temperature pressure cleaning, high-temperature drying, ultraviolet sterilization, and AI vision inspection before being sealed and repackaged for supply back to stores.

Participating cafes will receive partial support for the costs of cup collection, cleaning, and resupply, and will earn 30 won in carbon-neutral points for each cup returned. Stores will also display notices promoting the 'Reduce Disposable Products' campaign. Cafes recognized as exemplary in reducing disposables will receive a plaque and benefits such as preferential interest rates on small business policy loans.

The Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment implemented the reusable cup deposit system in all cafes within the Government Sejong Complex in June 2023. In April of the previous year, it revised the Prime Minister's directive on reducing disposable products in public institutions, establishing a basis for prohibiting or restricting the use of disposables within government buildings.

The ministry expects that this agreement will reduce the use of over 2 million disposable cups annually. Plans are in place to continuously recruit additional participating stores.

Minister of Climate Energy and Environment Kim Seong-hwan stated, "Reducing disposable cups and using reusable ones is a climate action that can be practiced in daily life. We will enhance the convenience of using reusable cups and expand participating stores to encourage public participation."