Paper and plastic cups are piled on a table at a cafe in Seoul, on Jan. 6. Newsis

By Kim Jae-heun

Restaurant and coffee shop owners are struggling with customer complaints over the government's ban on the use of disposal cups and dishes for sit-in customers. The ban went into effect Friday after being eased since 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Environment banned the use of plastic or paper cups in 2018, but allowed it again two years ago. However, with the COVID-19 situation expected to enter an endemic phase soon, the ministry decided to readopt the rule.

"People got used to using plastic cups again during the last two years. I understand that many still feel uneasy about drinking beverages in a mug, which many people share at cafes and restaurants," a coffee shop owner surnamed Jeon said.

"However, there is nothing I can do about the government's policy, but people keep asking me if they can just use a plastic cup because they are going to leave in five minutes," Jeon added.

Jeon said he wishes the government takes aggressive actions with the environmental campaign as it only encourages restaurants and cafes to ban plastic use for now. There is no penalty fee imposed on the violation of the restriction.

A 32-year-old office worker surnamed Kim said it is both a waste of time and a risk to use mugs when COVID-19 infections continue.

"There are still some 280,000 daily cases of COVID-19 infections in the country. Why is the government encouraging us to use mugs? I understand and agree with the need to reduce plastic usage, but the timing is not right at the moment," Kim said.

There are also views that the restriction is not effective since it is limited to Korea.

"The government is encouraging to use personal cups, but they are also made using plastic. Also, I don't know how Korea alone banning plastic cups can help improve environmental protection. Even superpower countries like America and China are not forcing their people to bring their own cups from home," a 28-year-old customer surnamed Lee said.

Meanwhile, the use of disposable products has soared amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic here after the ban was lifted o two years ago. The amount of plastic waste generated in 2020 increased by 19 percent, year-on-year.