As much as I love Korea, I dread anyone asking me why. That is because it is the entirety of the experience that constantly has me coming back for more. If I had to sum it up for the sake of answering, I would say it is the three L’s- the landscape, the language and the lifestyle.
Sadly for me, by the time this column is out, I would be back home in Bahrain. However, having been there longer than last year, I had ample time to uncover lots more of what I appreciate about the country.
For example, as someone who tries to be more conscious of the trash I produce or any negative contributions to world environmental issues, I greatly appreciate how eco-friendly South Korea can be.
One way Korea does this is by charging for plastic bags at stores. A nominal fee of course, but you bet it has everyone donning tote bags and going shopping prepared. In fact, some stores don’t even provide plastic bags to shoppers because let’s be honest...a lot of the times they aren’t even necessary. Cloth or any other kind of reusable bag does just the trick!
Another measure in place that helps manage trash is that cafes provide reusable mugs at the outset. While here in Bahrain a disposable cup is given by default. Enter into any Korean cafe and you’ll usually be asked if you’re going to ‘dine in’ and then be handed a cup or mug.
Not so long ago, I wrote my column about another way Korea attempts waste management and that is the strict separation of garbage, classified into general waste, recyclables and food waste, and which if not properly adhered to can result in fines.
All these measures may seem quite cumbersome for someone not used to it, but I bet it becomes second nature as you do them. This helps immensely to reduce the country’s carbon footprint.
