As the use of food delivery services has increased dramatically over the past three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of plastic containers has increased accordingly. Not only do we have to focus on the hygiene of delivered food, but we also have to consider the problem of environmental pollution that comes with the overuse of plastic containers.

 After investigating the amount of plastic use for the 10 most popular delivery foods, a study published by the Korea Consumer Agency in February 2022 revealed that an average of 18.3 plastic containers were used per menu item. Reflecting the average number of food delivery orders, which is 2.8 times per week,10.8kg of plastic containers are used annually per capita. Among these plastic containers, the recyclable ones were estimated to be only 45.5%, which is not even half. With the prolonging of the COVID-19 pandemic, the food delivery market expanded dramatically, followed by an increase in plastic use. According to Green Korea, consumers feel guilty about the huge amount of plastic containers that are involved in their food orders. A survey on how consumers feel when they throw away their food delivery trash showed that 42% answered that they feel uncomfortable and worried, and 34% responded that they feel guilty. Although it is best not to use plastic, using plastic is unavoidable. Therefore, multi-use containers are being suggested as an alternative, but South Korea is making slow progress on introducing relevant policies compared to other advanced countries such as Europe and Canada.

However, little effort is being made to reduce the use of plastic containers for food delivery, such as giving consumers the option to select multi-use containers when they order their food. Through this system, food is packed and delivered in multi-use containers, after which the containers are picked up by a business specializing in multi-use containers. Currently, a number of restaurants in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, are engaging in this practice. Similarly, the Korea Environment Corporation and Seoul Metropolitan City have conducted a campaign to give consumers points for picking up their
food with their own containers or plates.
The use of multi-use containers, however, incurs expenses when they are picked up and washed, and these expenses are currently paid by consumers themselves or the public budget. As this financial burden has been pointed to as a limitation, some people insist that food delivery app companies should pay the expenses required for multi-use containers.
Since such companies have increased in number and influence due to the prolonged COVID-19 crisis, some people say that they must take responsibility for their environmental impact, especially now that corporate social responsibility has become an important focus.

Internationally, policies to reduce the useof plastic are being actively implemented. In the European Union, for example, the use of plastic containers is forbidden. Since last July, the 10 most widely used plastic products,
such as food containers and vinyl bags, have been banned. In Canada, non-recyclable food delivery containers, vinyl bags, and plastic straws have been banned. The problem of plastic overuse has increased during the last three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming a global environmental issue. As important as policy-making is, changing the daily habits of consumers is also vital in order to reduce the use of plastic. To this end, the 5R’s of waste management have been introduced as a guideline for people in their daily lives. First, refuse unnecessary items such as disposable spoons and chopsticks when ordering delivery food if you do not really need them. Second, reduce the amount of goods you buy in the first place and choose reusable items over disposable ones. Specifically, replace all single-use eating utensils and paper plates with reusable alternatives. Third, reuse items by washing and repairing them. Fourth, recycle properly and try to use upcycled products, which are new products made using by-products. Last but not least, there is ROT, which includes using
biodegradable products such as vinyl made with corn husks and wet wipes made with 100% wood pulp.

Now that we are experiencing climate change and extreme weather events, people are becoming aware that the issue of environmental protection can no longer be ignored. Responsible consumption and production that considers the environment were deemed good in the past, but they are now becoming absolute necessities. It is time for us to take responsibility for our common resources and do our duty for future generations. 

Kim Seo-Hyun
Reporters

aprilkim404@kookmin.ac.kr