Single-use cup consumption on the fall in South Korea
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Single-use cup consumption at Korean fast-food restaurants has plunged by 72 per cent.
The changes have occurred in the year since establishments began to participate in a move initiated by the government to pull back plastics use.
The Korean Ministry of Environment assessed 1000 outlets under 21 brands over the past year, of which 16 were coffee chains (including Starbucks) and five fast-food restaurants (including Lotteria and McDonald’s) all located in metropolitan Incheon and its environs.
The findings showed that 81 per cent of the outlets served beverages in multi-use cups, reducing the stores’ reliance on disposable cups from 206 tons last July to 58 tons in April. All brands assessed offered discounts to customers bringing their own cups, and many replaced plastic drinking straws with other alternatives.
“We can live without disposable products and they can be replaced,” said a ministry official. “It is inconvenient without them, but we have to make the effort.”
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific types of businesses saw this reduction in single-use cup consumption?
Which specific types of businesses saw this reduction in single-use cup consumption?
The reduction was observed at 16 coffee chains, including Starbucks, and five fast-food restaurants, including Lotteria and McDonald’s.
Q.What methods did the businesses use to reduce their reliance on disposable cups?
What methods did the businesses use to reduce their reliance on disposable cups?
Most outlets served beverages in multi-use cups, all offered discounts for customers bringing their own, and many replaced plastic straws with alternatives.
Q.What was the total weight reduction in disposable cups achieved by these establishments?
What was the total weight reduction in disposable cups achieved by these establishments?
The reliance on disposable cups reduced from 206 tons in July last year to 58 tons in April, representing a decrease of 148 tons.
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