The government is reportedly reviewing a plan to mandate the use of reusable containers at sports stadiums and movie theaters, following funeral halls, as of the 6th. With concerns growing over potential disruptions in the supply of plastic feedstock due to instability in the Middle East, the government's drive to cut single-use items appears to be expanding across the board.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment released a draft of a comprehensive "de-plastic" plan at a public hearing in Dec. last year and has since collected feedback from industry and experts. The draft mentioned only funeral halls as targets for single-use item regulations. However, in the process of preparing the final plan, the ministry is also looking into mandating reusable containers at sports stadiums and movie theaters.
Minister Kim Seong-hwan of the climate ministry said at a joint briefing by related ministries on emergency economic response measures to the Middle East war on the 26th of last month, "We will make a concerted effort to reduce single-use items used for activities such as watching sports."
Sports stadiums and movie theaters are not classified under current regulations as food service businesses or group dining facilities where the use of single-use items is restricted. It is known that about 3,300 tons of waste are generated annually at baseball stadiums and movie theaters.
However, some regions are piloting a transition to reusable containers. In the case of movie theaters, seven locations in Gyeonggi Province—Megabox Misagangbyeon and Siheung Baegot, Lotte Cinema Anyang, Ansan, Central Rock, Ansan Gojan, and Gwangmyeong Outlet—are using reusable containers. Gyeonggi Province expects this to reduce single-use plastic by 50,000 items per month. In sports stadiums, K League venues such as Jeonju, Daejeon, and Seoul World Cup Stadiums, as well as baseball stadiums including Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Gocheok Sky Dome, and Incheon SSG Landers Field, have introduced reusable containers.
The government also plans to expand budget support for the transition to reusable containers. A government official said, "This year we allocated 15.7 billion won in the budget to support reusable container washing and lending expense through local governments," adding, "We are reviewing comprehensive promotion measures, including mandating use and expanding fiscal support."