"Plastic Minimization" Carbon Diet Even in Seol Gift Giving

CJ CheilJedang 'Lightweight Packaging Spam Gift Set'

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] As recent consumer trends shift towards value-centered choices, the distribution industry is also increasing the release of eco-friendly products reflecting ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) for this Lunar New Year holiday.

According to the distribution industry on the 31st, CJ CheilJedang introduced two types of ‘Lightly Packaged Spam Gift Sets’ using only paper packaging ahead of this Lunar New Year. The tray that secures the product was changed from plastic material to paper, and it was made in an assembly type for easy separation and disposal. According to CJ CheilJedang, this environmentally conscious packaging reduced plastic usage by 387 tons for this Lunar New Year alone. This is more than double the amount of plastic reduced compared to last Lunar New Year.

Sajo Daerim expanded its gift sets featuring the premium canned ham ‘Ansim Farm’ with the plastic lid removed, called ‘Lidless Ansim Farm,’ to 18 types, three times more than last year. Additionally, the gift set shopping bags with vinyl coating and polyurethane handles were completely replaced with paper materials. Sajo Daerim has been steadily expanding eco-friendly management activities through gift sets. Last year, they reduced the packaging area of about 70 gift set items, including the annually high-selling ‘Ansim Special Set No. 22,’ achieving an annual plastic reduction effect of approximately 10 tons.

Dongwon F&B introduced eco-friendly gift sets such as the all-paper package gift set that completely eliminates plastic packaging and the ‘Dongwon MSC Certified Tuna Set’ using sustainably produced skipjack tuna. The plastic containers used in packaging were replaced with paper, and instead of the existing non-woven fabric bags, paper bags were used so that all packaging can be fully recycled.

Lotte Foods presented eco-friendly ECO gift sets that reduce plastic for this Lunar New Year as well as last Chuseok. The 33 types of ECO gift sets feature plastic trays and plastic caps on canned ham removed, and trays, cases, and bags made from FSC-certified eco-friendly paper, significantly reducing plastic usage compared to before. Lotte Foods expects to reduce 33 tons of plastic this Lunar New Year.

Daesang also joined the movement to eliminate plastic by optimizing the arrangement of gift set components to minimize plastic use and significantly reducing the thickness of plastic containers. Furthermore, some gift set shopping bag fabrics use ‘sil paper,’ made from paper and cotton thread, allowing for easy separation and recycling.

Aekyung Industrial released gift sets that reduce waste output and the use of plastic and metal, offering products that are both environmentally friendly and practical. They integrated shopping bags and gift set cases to reduce packaging waste. Notably, the caps used for shampoo and body wash were changed from the existing pump type to a one-touch cap, reducing the use of plastic and metal.

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