South Korea taps biggest QSR chains to push coffee drinkers away from plastic

The government signed an agreement with 23 F&B chains.

South Korea has signed a deal with 23 of the largest food and beverage chains in an effort to phase out single-use plastics in more than 22,000 stores.

Under the agreement, which will take effect in September, participating stores will encourage customers to bring their own tumblers, offering as much as $0.60 (₩800) in discounts.

Participating brands will also avoid using containers that combine plastic and metal in ways that are difficult to separate for recycling, such as PET cans, encouraging a shift to materials and structures that are easier to recycle.

Stores will also stop serving beverages in ‘double-stacked cups’ or the practice of placing a plastic cup inside a paper one for insulation, in order to reduce waste.

Straws and other single-use items will only be provided when specifically ordered through a kiosk or from a staff member — not provided automatically — to encourage customers to participate in plastic-free living.

Participating stores will be given a "Personal Cup Discount Store" sign to help customers easily identify them as committed to plastic-free practices.

Coffee chains Dalkomm, The Venti, Dunkin', Baskin-Robbins, Starbucks, Ediya, Angel-in-us, Hasamdong Coffee, Hollys, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Tom N Toms, A Twosome Place, Ten Percent Coffee, Pascucci, Paul Bassett, and Paik's Coffee has signed the agreement.

Lotteria, the country’s homegrown fast food chain, has also signed the agreement. International chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC also took the pledge.