The government has decided to postpone the introduction of the ‘disposable cup deposit system’, which was scheduled to be implemented from the 10th of next month, by six months. The franchising industry’s backlash and pressure from the politicians were unusually delayed, as the enforcement date set by the law was delayed.
The Ministry of Environment held a meeting with businesses such as franchise cafe owners on the 20th and decided to postpone the full implementation of the disposable cup deposit system until December 1. Through a notice from the Minister, the Ministry of Environment decided to change the implementation period by starting the system on a trial basis in only a few stores from the 10th of next month and implementing the system collectively on December 2 for the rest of the stores.
The disposable cup deposit system is a system where you pay a deposit of 300 won when you buy a drink in a paper cup or plastic cup, and get it back when you return the cup. According to the supplementary provisions of the ‘Resource Saving and Recycling Promotion Act’ (Resource Recycling Act) amended in June 2020, it was originally scheduled to take effect on June 10. About 38,000 stores nationwide, including Starbucks, Ediya Coffee, and Lotteria, are targeted.
Ahead of the implementation of the system, franchise owners protested that the burden was too high, including the cost of purchasing the return label and additional manpower for the return operation. When the ruling party, even the people, requested a delay in the implementation of the system, the government delayed the implementation. An official from the Ministry of Environment said, “If you run a pilot operation, you can check in advance what kind of problems will occur and come up with countermeasures, so the concerns of store owners will be lessened.” The Ministry of Environment also decided to announce support measures such as label purchase costs and labor costs within the next week.
This measure gave franchise owners a sigh of relief. However, critics point out that it is difficult to avoid criticism that the government did not prepare properly for two years after the law was amended, and then postponed the implementation of the system due to public opposition.
Reporter Joo Ae-jin jaj@donga.com
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