CU "Introducing GET Coffee with 100% Natural Pulp Paper Lids"

CU will completely replace the polypropylene lids used for the instant ground coffee 'GET Coffee' with paper lids starting from the 29th to reduce plastic usage in daily life. A model is introducing GET Coffee.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] CU announced that starting from the 29th, it will completely replace the polypropylene lids used for its instant brewed coffee 'GET Coffee' with paper lids to reduce plastic usage in daily life.

CU stated, "To support customers' eco-friendly consumption habits, since 2019, we have been using Rain Forest Alliance-certified eco-friendly coffee beans for GET Coffee, and have successively introduced paper straws and kraft cups that are non-fluorescent, preservative-free, and unbleached. The newly introduced paper lids are made from 100% natural pulp without fluorescent agents," adding.

Although the material has changed to paper, the lids have excellent heat resistance and waterproof properties, capable of withstanding temperatures up to 120 degrees Celsius. Unlike PP material lids, which could shrink or expand when heated, the paper lids maintain their shape, allowing for more stable use.

With all components of the packaging made from eco-friendly materials, cups and lids left after drinking GET Coffee can be separated and disposed of as paper waste.

As GET Coffee is a representative steady-seller product with over 150 million cups sold annually, CU expects that this change will minimize environmental impact while further increasing customer satisfaction. CU plans to start operating paper lids in the metropolitan area this month and complete the introduction in all stores by next year. Once paper lids are introduced in all stores, it is expected to reduce plastic usage by approximately 100 tons annually.

Additionally, CU is taking the lead in resource circulation by being the first in the industry to pilot the use of coffee grounds decks upcycled from coffee residue left after serving GET Coffee.

In Korea, there is no separate classification standard for coffee grounds, so they are disposed of as household waste. When coffee grounds are incinerated, 338 kg of carbon dioxide is emitted per ton. The coffee grounds generated from GET Coffee amount to about 1,700 tons annually, and assuming all coffee grounds collected at stores are recycled, it is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 574 tons.

A BGF Retail official said, "With the introduction of these paper lids, we have incorporated eco-friendly philosophy into every element that makes up GET Coffee," adding, "CU will continue to strive to establish itself as the closest eco-friendly platform in customers' daily lives according to its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management roadmap."

Meanwhile, to build a green consumption environment, CU is leading eco-friendly initiatives such as the full introduction of three types of label-free bottled water, application of eco-friendly PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) containers for ready meals, labeling of PB product recycling grades, and development of eco-friendly PB snack packaging.

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