Takeout only: Disposable cup crackdown begins Thursday

By Park Si-soo

From Thursday, the government will crack down on coffee shops and fast food restaurants that use disposable plastic cups recklessly.

Stores caught serving drinks in a disposable cup to customers eating food inside will be fined up to 2 million won ($1,786), the environment ministry said Wednesday.

The crackdown follows a nationwide “No disposable cup” campaign from June 20 to July 31, during which the ministry sent guidelines to stores and conducted on-site promotions.

The ministry believes the crackdown will help reduce plastic waste. South Korea is one of the world's biggest plastic waste producers ― 98.2 kilograms per person annually. The government wants to cut it in half by 2030.

Retailers are not happy with the policy because many customers still favor disposable cups. Experts also point out some “blind spots” that can cause dispute. A case in point is when customers change their mind.

“Who should be blamed when we serve a drink in a disposable cup to a customer who said he would take out the drink, but changed his mind and drinks it inside?” a fast food restaurant employee said.

Experts say along with the crackdown, the government should implement a campaign encouraging people take a reusable cup like a tumbler with them.