Seven Eleven Strengthens Eco-Friendly Products... Incorporates Biodegradable Materials

Application of Over 10 Types of PLA Material Containers
Expansion of Ministry of Environment Eco-friendly Certification Mark

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] Convenience store Seven Eleven is expanding eco-friendly products in response to the 필(必)environmental era.

Seven Eleven announced on the 24th that it renewed and launched the ‘Sushi Jeongseok Assorted Sushi’ product using eco-friendly PLA (polylactide) material containers on the 22nd. The product composition was changed to scallops, octopus, shrimp, egg, and webfoot octopus, and the package container was changed from regular plastic to PLA.

PLA is a biodegradable material made from raw materials extracted from corn and sugarcane, decomposing naturally within 180 days. It is the most notable eco-friendly material amid social issues such as increased plastic waste and carbon reduction efforts. It also has the advantage of being disposable as general waste. Next year, it plans to expand its application to the gimbap and sandwich categories.

In addition, Seven Eleven introduced three PB products?forks, spoons, and paper cups?that received eco-friendly certification marks from the Ministry of Environment in May. These contain biomass materials, reducing harmful substances and carbon dioxide emissions. Seven Eleven plans to expand related products to 10 types next year.

Choi Yumi, head of the Seven Eleven Food Team, said, “As convenience store food plays an important role in modern people’s diets, we are making every effort to enhance product value,” adding, “Quality, safety, and eco-friendliness will be key factors in increasing future product value.”

Meanwhile, besides operating eco-friendly products, Seven Eleven is actively carrying out eco-friendly social contribution activities. Since 2018, Seven Eleven has installed and operated environmental donation boxes at franchise stores nationwide, raising about 150 million KRW to date and delivering it to the Environmental Foundation. In November, it installed and operates a total of six ‘AI Circular Resource Collection Robots,’ the industry’s first automatic PET bottle and can collection machines, at major stores in the metropolitan area.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.