BYE BYE PLASTIC STRAW

Article en Français

Before starting this article, I want to explain my actual situation (where I live, what are my principles, my future desires).

Since March 2019 I have the chance to live in South Korea, thanks to a working holiday visa for one year. After the first months of adapting my-self and discovering a new culture, a daily life was quickly installed and allowed me to think about the decisions and actions I could take as having a better ecological life in South Korea. In France, my ecological transition was done step by step. Whether it’s my desire to become vegan, then a flexitarian (more flexible, it suits me better when I’m not at home). The idea of banning plastic and single-use items was slowly starting to grow. But since I’m living in South Korea my ecological habits get shaken. I will not look for excuses excepted for the fact that when you travel, it is more difficult to adopt responsible habits. I explored the country on as volunteer for three months. In this kind of situation, it is you who must adapt to the habits and customs of your hosts. Back at the capital since two months, I had the time to get into a daily life. I am becoming more and more aware of the ecological issues on a global scale and wish, at my level, to contribute, without pressure and defeatism, on changing my habits for the better.

Rice Straws – Vietnam – OChao, Ho Chi Minh – Photo by Foto T on Unsplash

So I had the idea to propose an ecological challenge every month, link to my expatriate life. I want to propose simple solutions for any expat who feels lost in a country where habits and lifestyle are different. My challenges will be part of my life in South Korea and I will talk about the country’s situation according to the challenge of the month. Do you like it ? Let’s get start this beautiful adventure !

The Straw, fight symbol against plastic.

By Daniela Garreton

We all agree that our habits must change as the plastic pollution is more than real. While waiting for governments and mostly lobbies to finally decide to change the production method, we can, at our level, begin to show that we want this change. So yes, for me, plastic straw is the symbol of this green revolution ! And our challenge this month is to tell bye bye to plastic straws, for those who have not did it yet, let’s get it started and those who have already taking it, let’s reconfirm our commitment !

The Straw in South Korea

Where do we use eat straws in Korea ? In cocktails bars ? Well no, Koreans are not cocktails drinkers in general. That does not mean they do not drink alcohol, on the contrary, but they have a predilection for beer and their traditional drinks, soju and makgeolli. No need for straw. No, straw is commonly used in coffee shops and other takeaway spots. You have to know that coffee shops are everywhere here.

Before arriving, for the first time in South Korea, two years ago, I naively thought it would be a tea paradise … cause it is Asia. What was my surprise to see the love for coffee by the Koreans. It is even difficult to find tea shops and tea rooms. Wherever you walk, there are cafes on every street corner. It has become a paradise for instagrammers looking for the new trendy cafe. I am a victim myself. Here, we do not just come for coffee, we enjoy a good time with friends, we flirt with the boyfriend, we organize meetings, or like me, we come to study and work on his computer. We admire the fancy decoration and enjoy a beautiful atmosphere.

And there comes the question of straw. Koreans, for economy reasons, tend to order the cheapest drinks (americano, latte ..). Whether summer or winter, they have a preference for frozen drinks. Who says cold, says straw. I have even seen Koreans drinking their hot drink with straw. They are everywhere, available at the counter or in your drinks even before you could say no. It is very difficult to refuse this small disposable accessory.

Let’s not pannic, the habits and mentalities change, little by little, but the Korean government, since the arrival of the new president Moon Jae-in – 문재인 is willing to change the game and to pass South Korea into more ecological responsibility.

What fascinates me about Koreans is their ability to adapt the changing and new situations without losing their cultural identity. They are able to overcome the hardships and come out stronger. Curious and open-minded, I hope this faculty will allows them to adapt quickly about the climate challenge.

It’s been now one year, Korean government forbids the use of single use drinking cups in the country. This may seem harmless, but for many coffee shop, before this law, you will automatically be served in a single use cup, you stayed or took away. Yes, there are still small coffee shops who do not follow the law, but a new trend is emerging and new cafes who open offer an alternative and ecological setting. Especially since Koreans are in demand for it. It’s becoming fashionable.

This law has been mostly applied by international chains (Starbucks, McDonald’s, Burger King ..) and straws is no more given automatically. I was surprise the first time I went into a Starbucks last March and drunk on a reusable glass with a paper straw !

Green Tea Limonade and Strawberry Latte drunk inside on a reusable cups with a paper straws.

Green Tea Limonade and Strawberry Latte drunk at a Starbucks on a reusable cups with a paper straws.

How can I make the challenge a everyday life action ?

Before coming in Korea I bring with me my metal straw. When I forgot to take it, I have plastic straw in my glass before thinking about refusing. Recently, my technique is to wait at the counter and immediately refuse straw to the barista when he is about to put it in my glass. I’m starting to be able to make some phrases in Korean but it is not possible to make sentences. Even so, I find my technique a bit brutal.

For my challenge, I will learn this sentence when I will order: 빨대(는) 괜찮아요 (ppaldaeneun gwaenchanh-ayo). Which literally means: straw is ok. It is a polite way of saying that you are ok without straw in your drink.

You too, if you travel or live abroad do not hesitate to find the little phrase anti-straw! In addition, the situations can be funny and sometimes you get a smile from the barista.

At a cafe in South Korea. Iron Straw on my Ice Latte.

Where can I find reusable straw ?

In France, whether online or in Home shops, it is getting easy to find them. Even some bars and cafes are starting to providing it. They can be in paper, metal, bamboo, pasta …

In South Korea I saw DAISO (a cheap shop where you can find every basic stuff) is providing them, as well as big supermarket and specialized eco-stores. But the easiest and the cheapest way is to buy online.

And you know, if I forget my straw, I can just drink from the glass. Oh my God ! Yes it happens to me, it’s shocking, I know, my lips touching the edge of the glass, incredible! So unnatural.