Cafes and fast food chains will receive disposable cup guidelines from June: environment ministry

Deposits will be required to buy drinks using disposable cups at cafes and fast-food chains from June as part of efforts to reduce plastic waste which is increasing amid the pandemic, it said on Tuesday. the Ministry of the Environment.

From June 10, people will have to pay a deposit of between 200 won ($0.17) and 500 won per disposable cup they buy drinks in at cafes and fast food chains.

The deposit will be returned when used cups are returned to stores for recycling.

About 38,000 cafes and fast food restaurants across the country will receive deposits as part of the government’s decision to apply the system to businesses with more than 100 branches, according to the ministry.

Restaurants will also be banned from using disposable cups in stores and encouraged to reuse items for deliveries.

The ministry also said department stores, supermarkets, convenience stores and bakeries will be banned from using plastic bags from November 24.

The measures were announced as part of the government’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality and move towards a sustainable circular economy. (Yonhap)