In order to solve the problem of disposable waste pouring in cafes, a cup deposit system was started.



The purpose is to reduce the use of disposable products by leaving a deposit and returning the money when returning the cup, but not all deposits are the same.



This is a disposable cup deposit system according to the Ministry of Environment Act.



The deposit is 300 won, and when returned, the cup is used for paper or plastic recycling.



This is a cup used in the multi-use cup deposit system led by the private sector.



The deposit is 1,000 won.

When you return it, the cleaning company takes it, cleans it, and reuses it at the cafe.



There are places where these two deposit systems are implemented at the same time.



That is Jeju Island.



Let's see what the situation is like.



A large franchise cafe in Jeju Island, disposable cups used in the store have disappeared.



[It is provided in a reusable cup (multi-use cup).

Are you okay?]



[Yes, it's okay.]



When you buy a drink, you pay an extra 1,000 won as a deposit, but if you return the used cup to the automatic collection machine at one side of the store, you get the 1,000 won back right away.



The cups collected in this way are taken to a professional cleaning company, washed, and then shipped back to the cafe store.



[Kang Yong-hoon/Cleaning company manager: After a total of seven stages of cleaning process, it is provided to customers again so that they can be clean and safe.]



After nearly a year and a half of implementation, the number of participating stores increased to 120, and the cup return rate rose to 80%.



[Lee Chae-heon/Multi-use cup user: After using the multi-use cup deposit system, there is no major inconvenience, so I think I will use it again next



time.] [Lee Dong-jin/Multi-use cup user: Since it is a good idea, I will actively participate in (deposit system). It

seems.]



In Jeju Island, where cup deposits were established, changes began at the end of last year when another form of cup deposit appeared.



It is the disposable cup deposit system of the Ministry of Environment, but it became a problem from the application target.



In only two regions, Sejong City and Jeju Island, only franchise cafes with more than 100 establishments are regulated, so small franchises or privately owned cafes are missing.



[Café refusal to participate in the disposable cup deposit: From the customer's point of view, it only increases the cost of 300 won.

But if that happens, you will go to other stores (without a deposit).]



Because of this, 40% of the applicants in Jeju Island declared refusal to participate.



There is also another problem.



When the Ministry of Environment started implementing the disposable cup deposit obligation, large coffee brands rather steered toward multi-use cups.



This is because multi-use cups, which do not use disposable cups themselves, are more eco-friendly when there will be deposit regulations anyway.



However, as the deposit for disposable cups by the Ministry of Environment stepped back one after another, the industry also changed its attitude.



The big brands originally planned to increase the number of multi-use cup-only stores in Seoul to 800 by the end of last year, but are currently hesitant to expand further, with only 10%.



[Café industry official: (Disposable cup deposit) When it was said that it would be implemented nationwide, it would have been effective if a reusable cup (multi-use cup) was grafted.

But now (with a postponement of disposable cups), if you don’t do it, you don’t have to…

.]



The cafe owner's cooperative, made up of small stores, also abandoned plans to convert to reusable cups.



In the end, the disposable cup and the multi-use cup, both deposits are blocked by stumbling blocks.



The cafe industry officials I met couldn't believe the Ministry of Environment.



As the issue of disposable cup deposits continues to rise, it is doubtful that the business will in fact be closed by continuing to delay the nationwide expansion of the pilot project currently being implemented.



If that is not the intention of the Ministry of Environment, we will have to dispel doubts in the market by coming up with a detailed plan for the future roadmap, including how to establish two different deposit systems.



(Planning: Lee Ho-gun, video coverage: Han Il-sang · Choi Jun-sik, video editing: Ha Seong-won, CG: Lim Chan-hyeok)