Sejong, June 10 - On June 9, the Ministry of Environment (ME, Minister Han Wha-jin) held a "forum for resource recycling" in Seoul to promote the use of reusable containers. 

The Government officials involved in the reusable container project, including those from the central, local governments, as well as SMEs engaged in distributing, collecting, and washing reusable containers, attended the forum.

The Ministry of Environment announced a government subsidy scheme to promote using reusable containers instead of disposable ones. The Ministry of Health and Welfare explained its self-support fund policy and a reusable container recycling initiative carried out by local self-help groups that are funded by the ministry. Authorities from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Gimhae Provincial Government pushed for the scheme of their own projects. They shared their opinions on developing the reusable container industry with 17 municipal government officials. In addition, a session introducing SMEs' and local self-help groups' businesses involving reusable container recycling across the country took place this day.

The Ministry of Environment has been running local government subsidy programs to promote the use of reusable containers since 2021. The project covers establishing and running a reusable container cleaning center, distributing reusable containers and washers to funeral homes and public facilities, and distributing, collecting, and washing reusable containers via a delivery app. Furthermore, the Ministry of Environment has been undertaking a pilot project of reusing mailing boxes that will replace single-use boxes in some areas of Seoul. The ministry will develop more detailed plans for multi-use mailing boxes based on the pilot project's outcomes.

"Our project of promoting the use of reusable containers is evolving into various forms of business, thanks to the efforts of local governments and the private sector," said Seo Young-tae, Director of Resources Circulation Policy Division. "The Ministry of Environment will strengthen public-private partnerships to use reusable containers more frequently.

Contact: Lim Yang-seok, Deputy Director

Resource Circulation Policy Division / +82-(0)44-201-7354 

Foreign Media Contact: CHUN Minjo

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr