Daejeon, South Korea – The city of Daejeon is taking significant strides towards establishing an environmentally conscious sporting environment with the full-scale introduction of "Kkumssi reusable cups" at the Hanwha Life Eagles Park, home to the Hanwha Eagles professional baseball team. This initiative aims to eliminate single-use plastic cups at the stadium, promoting sustainability and engaging fans in eco-friendly practices. To enhance convenience, 23 cup return stations have been strategically placed throughout the venue. The city anticipates that this move, especially with the upcoming 2025 KBO League All-Star Game hosted in July, will foster a nationwide culture of environmental responsibility within sports.
The "Kkumssi reusable cup" program was launched at the stadium's food and beverage vendors on March 28th, coinciding with the Hanwha Eagles' home opener. This follows a successful pilot program last September at the former Hanbat Baseball Stadium, where approximately 30,000 reusable cups (around 3,000 per game) were utilized. This year, the city plans to distribute about 4,500 reusable cups per game, totaling an estimated 330,000 cups throughout the entire baseball season.
A distinctive feature of the "Kkumssi" cups is the incorporation of beloved Daejeon city mascots, Kkumdori and Kkumsuni, alongside "Suri," the Hanwha Eagles' mascot, into the cup designs. This not only subtly promotes Daejeon's city brand but also aims to make the adoption of reusable cups more appealing and familiar to fans across the nation. The initiative has already garnered positive responses from baseball enthusiasts.
Currently, six vendors within the Eagles Park, including Eagles Brewery, are actively participating in the reusable cup program. The Daejeon Metropolitan Government has outlined plans to progressively expand the participation of food and beverage outlets within the stadium, with the ultimate goal of transforming the entire ballpark into a leading national model for eco-friendly sports venues.
The upcoming 2025 KBO League All-Star Game, scheduled to be held at the Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park in July, will serve as a significant platform to further promote the reusable cup culture nationwide. New "Kkumssi" character designs for the reusable containers will be unveiled, accompanied by on-site promotional activities designed to encourage widespread adoption among baseball fans from all regions.
Moon Chang-yong, Director of the Environment Bureau of Daejeon Metropolitan City, emphasized the city's commitment, stating, "We are actively promoting the reusable cup initiative to establish Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park as a prime example of an environmentally friendly sports culture. We will continue to collaborate with the Hanwha Eagles organization to cultivate a sustainable viewing culture that involves both citizens and fans."
This initiative reflects a growing global awareness of the environmental impact of large-scale events and a move towards more sustainable practices within the sports industry. By prioritizing waste reduction and promoting reusable alternatives, Daejeon is positioning itself as a leader in green sports initiatives within South Korea.
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