"Where on earth is the return bin?"

Ordering food to a temporary delivery zone at Seoul's Yeouido Hangang Park made finding a return bin far from straightforward. After an eight-minute walk to delivery zone 3, the bin finally came into view. Only three of the park's four delivery zones feature return bins, and the temporary zone lacked any return signage, leaving visitors to wander in confusion.

The return process proved equally bewildering. Scanning the QR code on the delivery bag prompted a demand for a precise address. Because the park's delivery zones could not be registered as return locations, an arbitrary nearby address had to be entered to complete the request. The rationale behind requiring a separate address for an outdoor return remains unclear.

Ordering food in reusable containers presented its own hurdles. Finding a dedicated reusable container tab on some delivery apps proved difficult, and even after locating it, numerous restaurants lacked actual containers. When asked about reusable packaging, one salad shop simply replied, "We don't have any right now."

Even when an order successfully arrived in reusable containers, beverage and sauce containers frequently came in single-use plastic. While Seoul's official guidelines state that sauce-specific reusable containers are supplied, few actual eateries provide them with deliveries. The absence of suitably sized reusable containers for drinks and sauces drives this ongoing mixed usage.

Consumers are not the only ones facing frustration; restaurants tasked with providing the containers are also speaking out. The primary grievance centers on order verification. Checking whether an incoming order requires reusable containers during busy rush hours is exceptionally cumbersome. Storing the containers presents another logistical headache. One restaurant owner noted, "Because of the hassle of storing both single-use and reusable containers, we are considering canceling the service."

As ordering and returning remain inconvenient for consumers, and order checking and container storage remain burdensome for restaurants, the number of orders for Seoul's municipal reusable container delivery service is declining.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, reusable delivery orders totaled 109,070 between January and September of this year. At the current pace, the year-end total is projected to reach roughly 134,500—a 22 percent drop compared to last year's 173,499 orders.

When asked about the reasons behind the declining order forecast and potential countermeasures, a Seoul city official emphasized the importance of publicity, explaining that plans are underway to inform citizens using banners and other promotional materials.

Yet, firsthand experience suggests that promotional efforts alone will not resolve these inconveniences. Strengthening publicity fails to solve restaurant container shortages or storage difficulties.

Consequently, critics argue that fulfilling the genuine intent of the reusable container initiative requires more than just service expansion and promotion; fundamental measures to alleviate the operational burdens and container supply issues faced by restaurants are urgently needed. Reducing the inconveniences and complaints of participating restaurants is seen as a prerequisite for making reusable ordering more convenient for consumers. As one consumer pointed out, "Achieving practical results rather than relying on showmanship requires building a universal circular system."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]