Reducing Plastic from the Production Stage... Distribution Industry Continues 'Eco-Friendly' Efforts

Removing Unnecessary Elements to Contribute Positively to Resource Circulation

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] The distribution industry is experiencing a 'green' wave.

According to data from Statistics Korea and the Ministry of Environment, the amount of plastic waste generated daily, which was about 1,757 tons in 2019, increased by 13.7% to 1,998 tons the following year. Producers and companies have also formed a consensus on this issue and have begun participating in environmental protection through various 'minimal' approaches. They are showcasing diverse attempts to reduce plastic, which accounts for a significant portion of household waste.

On the 12th, according to the distribution industry, Coca-Cola recently introduced the 'Seagram Label-Free' product, the first carbonated beverage in Korea without a label. On the 27th of last month, Coca-Cola signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment to expand the recyclability of packaging materials. By introducing packaging designed for recyclability from the production stage, this effort marks the first step toward creating positive resource circulation for the environment and society, exemplified by the launch of a label-free product.

The 'Seagram Label-Free' uses a transparent PET container without a label, enhancing recycling efficiency as well as consumer convenience in separating waste. Product names and logos, which were previously printed on labels, are now embossed directly on the packaging, improving visual elements such as transparency and three-dimensionality.

The amount of plastic used in PET bottles has also been reduced. In addition to the Seagram Label-Free product, Coca-Cola explained that through lightweighting all Seagram PET products, an annual reduction of 445 tons of plastic is expected.

Convenience store GS25 recently replaced plastic straws provided with pouch drinks with eco-friendly PLA (polylactic acid) straws that are biodegradable. Pouch drinks are known to sell about 100 million units annually.

PLA straws contain no petrochemical components and are made from corn material, making them 100% biodegradable. They offer a similar feel to plastic straws and have durability that resists dissolving in water. Additionally, they overcome drawbacks of paper straws, such as becoming soggy or imparting a paper taste when wet.

Seven Eleven and Maeil Dairies introduced products without straws altogether. Although using straws is convenient, they complicate waste separation and are often discarded as general waste, increasing the amount of waste.

Seven Eleven partnered with Seoul F&B, a dairy product specialist, to launch two types of 'straw-free cup coffee.' This is the first case among convenience store cup coffees sold domestically. Since the annual straw disposal volume reaches 4.2 tons, they introduced differentiated products to reduce this amount. The 'straw-free cup coffee' allows consumers to open the lid, remove the container packaging, drink, and then close it again for easy recycling, enhancing convenience.

Maeil Dairies also started removing straws from its yogurt product 'Enyo' in July last year and extended this to Sangha Farm milk in January this year. Following the application of paper-based packaging to Sangha Farm milk in 2019, Maeil Dairies expects that removing straws from organic sterilized milk and other products will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 324 tons.

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