Jamsil Baseball Stadium adopts reusable containers ahead of Earth Day

Fried chicken and beer will be served in reusable containers at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in southern Seoul starting this month.

Spectators cheer during a baseball match between the Hanwha Eagles and the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in southern Seoul on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Fried chicken and beer will be served in reusable containers at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in southern Seoul starting this month.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Friday, 38 in-stadium cafes and restaurants will serve food and beverages in 10 different types of reusable cups and plates.

The new containers will come in Seoul's color, sky coral, chosen in November last year to reflect the pink hues of the sunset over the Han River.

Collection boxes will be set in 20 designated areas for spectators to return their used cups and plates. These will then be collected and washed at self-sufficiency centers, government-run facilities that offer social services.

Reusable cups in Seoul's color, sky coral. Beverages will be served in these environmentally friendly cups at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in southern Seoul. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

According to the city government, baseball stadiums nationwide produced over 3,400 tons of waste in 2021, with 86 tons from Jamsil Baseball Stadium — home of the LG Twins and the Doosan Bears — alone.

The city government aims to reduce the plastic waste produced at the stadium by 24 tons through the initiative during this year’s baseball season, which lasts through November.

On Friday, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon signed an agreement with the companies and institutions involved in the initiative, including Aramco Korea, responsible for manufacturing the containers, and the capital’s baseball clubs, Doosan Bears and LG Twins.

Oh said he hoped the venue would become a more attractive place by promoting an "eco-friendly" culture for sports spectators.

Collection boxes for reusable containers set up at Jamsail Baseball Stadium in southern Seoul [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

As the annual Earth Day arrives, the city government is set to host another event on Saturday to raise awareness around recycling.

As part of the event, up to 1,000 people will receive flowers for bringing their recyclable waste, including plastic bottles and bags, to Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Additionally, up to 3,500 people who bring their own tumblers will be offered complimentary coffee and tea at the site.

These environmentally friendly initiatives align with the metropolitan government's plan to reduce around 130,000 tons of greenhouse gases annually, announced in September.

Earth Day falls on April 22.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]