District partners with movie theaters, a funeral hall and a service provider to roll out reusable cups at high-traffic venues; the system covers supply, collection, washing and redistribution — with about 200,000 reusable cups expected annually
Gwangjin-gu signed a memorandum of understanding Monday with movie theaters, a funeral hall and a specialized service provider to launch a reusable-cup program at high-traffic public venues, establishing a public-private framework to cut single-use waste.
The MOU, signed at the district office's executive conference room, aims to spread a culture of reusable-container use and accelerate the transition to a resource-recycling society by reducing single-use waste. Participating facilities include Hyemin Hospital Funeral Hall, Lotte Cinema's Konkuk University Entrance branch, Megabox's Guui Eastpole branch and The Greet Co., the designated project operator.
Under the agreement, Gwangjin-gu will provide administrative and fiscal support and handle public outreach to ensure the program runs smoothly. Participating facilities will build operational systems so visitors can use reusable containers without inconvenience.
The project runs through the end of this year, supplying paper-cup-sized reusable water cups to the funeral hall and drink-specific reusable cups to the movie theaters. With containers tailored to each venue's needs, the district expects about 200,000 reusable cups to be used annually.
Earlier this year, the district secured national government funding for the reusable-container support project, identified participating facilities and expanded the program's scope from funeral halls to movie theaters. It then selected an operator and completed working-level consultations before signing the MOU, laying the groundwork for full implementation.
Beyond cutting single-use waste at high-traffic venues, the project is expected to normalize reusable-container use in residents' daily lives and contribute to carbon neutrality goals.
"Using reusable containers is one of the easiest and most effective ways to practice carbon neutrality by reducing single-use items," Gwangjin-gu District Mayor Kim Gyeong-ho said. "We will consistently pursue sustainable environmental policies so that this public-private partnership can further spread a resource-recycling culture in everyday life."
The district also plans to introduce reusable containers at various festivals and events, providing full support for rental, washing and collection throughout each event so the public sector can lead by example in reducing single-use items.
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