SEOUL, South Korea – In a move aimed at fostering environmental sustainability and reducing paper waste, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has partnered with the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) and major retailers to streamline the issuance of electronic receipts. Starting this month, customers at participating 7-Eleven convenience stores and Ediya Coffee cafes in Seoul will be able to receive digital receipts directly through popular existing platforms like KakaoTalk and Naver, eliminating the need to download individual merchant applications.

This initiative, announced on April 3rd, seeks to overcome the inconvenience previously associated with e-receipts, which often required users to install and manage multiple company-specific apps. By leveraging KISA's accredited electronic document system, the new service offers a more accessible and user-friendly alternative.

A key incentive for consumers is the integration with the Ministry of Environment's Carbon Neutrality Point Green Life Practice program. Individuals who have registered on this platform will automatically earn 100 KRW in points for each e-receipt they receive through the new system. These points can later be used like cash at participating eco-friendly businesses.

The rollout of the simplified e-receipt system will commence in April, encompassing 1,900 7-Eleven stores and 500 Ediya Coffee locations within Seoul. Plans are in place to expand the service to all nationwide locations of these retailers within the first half of 2025. Furthermore, the initiative will extend to the city's extensive taxi fleet, with approximately 50,000 registered taxis (3,000 corporate and 47,000 privately owned) expected to implement the system and begin offering e-receipts in the latter half of the year following necessary system integration.

The collaboration was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed on April 4th at Seoul City Hall between the Seoul Metropolitan Government, KISA, Ediya Coffee, Korea Seven (the operator of 7-Eleven), and Tmoney Mobility, a leading transportation payment and service provider. Tmoney Mobility's involvement suggests potential future integration of e-receipts within their broader service ecosystem, possibly including public transportation usage records.

Kwon Min, Head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Climate and Environment Headquarters, emphasized the city's commitment to promoting environmentally responsible practices. "This initiative is a significant step towards reducing paper consumption and encouraging citizens to actively participate in our carbon neutrality goals," Kwon stated. "We are committed to continuously developing and implementing various carbon neutrality policies that are accessible and beneficial for all our citizens."

This move by Seoul City aligns with a broader national push towards digitalization and environmental sustainability. By simplifying the process of obtaining e-receipts and offering tangible rewards through the Carbon Neutrality Point system, the city hopes to significantly increase the adoption of digital receipts, thereby reducing the environmental impact associated with paper production and disposal. The collaboration with popular platforms like KakaoTalk and Naver is expected to drive widespread usage and contribute to a greener, more sustainable urban environment.

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