SSG Landers has been using mint-colored reusable containers consisting of cups, bowls, and saucers at its home stadium since last July. Photo courtesy of SSG Landers
Incheon SSG Landersfield on the 30th of last month. Many spectators who were watching the final game of the Korean Professional Baseball (KBO) regular season enjoyed the game by eating chicken and tteokbokki served on mint-colored plates. This is a multi-use machine that SSG Landers has been providing for use in stadiums since last July. Empty dishes were piled up in the return box at the entrance to the stadium. SSG Landers fan Ham Chae-yeon (27) said, “In the past, I felt uneasy when I looked at the disposable items piled up after the game,” and added, “The reusable containers were awkward at first, but now I use them comfortably.”
Last July, 15,000 mint-colored reusable container sets consisting of cups, bowls, and saucers arrived at the stadium store. 27 return boxes were also installed. The recovery rate reaches 94-95%. Returned reusable containers are collected by a consignment company, cleaned, and then supplied back to the store. According to collection company Itgreen, the waste reduction effect of approximately 2,960 kg was achieved after the introduction of multi-use containers.
A baseball fan who visited Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 30th of last month is holding a mint-colored reusable container containing food. Reporter Lee Young-geun
Mr. Kim (21), a Kiwoom Heroes fan who visited the stadium on this day, said, “This is my first time using a reusable container, and contrary to my concerns, it is clean and easy to return.” He added, “I hope recyclable containers are introduced to Gocheok Sky Dome, Kiwoom’s home stadium.” Yang Mi-kyung, a stadium cleaner, said, “Although the amount of disposable items has decreased, it is difficult because some spectators throw away reusable containers in general trash bins or leave them on seats.”
Interest in the climate crisis is also growing in professional baseball, which set a record of 10 million spectators for the first time this year. The voice that baseball and the climate crisis are not related is gaining strength. In fact, the game between LG Twins and Lotte Giants scheduled for August 2nd at Munsu Stadium in Ulsan was canceled for the first time in history due to a heat wave. In consideration of climate change, the KBO moved up the opening game of next year’s professional baseball season to March 22. This is the fastest time since launch. A plan was also proposed to delay the start time by one hour to 6 p.m. for Sunday games in July and August next year.
There is also an analysis that this change was influenced by the influx of the MZ generation, which is sensitive to climate crisis issues. According to an online survey conducted by KBO on 2,006 visitors last July, people in their 20s accounted for the largest proportion of new visitors this year, at 31.4%. Mr. Omo (33), a 20-year Kia Tigers fan, said, “Unlike in the past when disposable products were thrown away indiscriminately, there seems to be an atmosphere among the younger generation these days of ‘let’s protect what we want to protect.’”
Garbage piled up at Changwon NC Park. Photo provided by Green Korea Federation
As the number of spectators increases, the amount of trash at the baseball stadium is a big challenge. According to a survey conducted by the Green Korea Coalition on 2,020 spectators who visited nine baseball stadiums across the country from June 20 to July 27, approximately 83% responded that “the baseball stadium waste problem is serious.” According to the 6th national waste statistical survey conducted by the Ministry of Environment, 3,444 tons of waste were produced at baseball stadiums across the country in 2021 alone. This is the largest amount among sports facilities in the country. However, there are currently only three stadiums that have introduced reusable machines: Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Suwon KT Wiz Park, and SSG Landers Field.
There is also a movement to pursue ‘sustainable baseball’ led by baseball fans. A representative example is ‘KBO Fans 4 Planet’, launched in September 2022 by baseball fan Jeon Ji-eun (35). There are 7 activists (Kbople veterans) and 19 supporters (Kbopluski) ranging from teenage high school students to office workers in their 40s. Alternatives are being suggested, such as holding a campaign to visit baseball stadiums to collect waste reduction signatures and deliver them to the clubs, or producing ‘daejjagi (cheering tools made of bamboo)’. Mr. Jeon said, “The United Nations (UN) is encouraging sports organizations to actively participate in climate action,” and added, “I hope the KBO and its clubs will take responsibility and take the lead in climate action.”
Last April, members of KBO Fans 4 Planet posed with ‘Daejjagi (cheering tool made of bamboo)’ that they had made themselves. Established in September 2022, Kbople is a group of fans who dream of sustainable professional baseball. Photo provided by Kbople
Reporter Lee Young-geun lee.youngkeun@joongang.co.kr
2024-10-04 20:06:11