Gwangyang Steelworks Reduces Single-Use Products by Using Reusable Lunchboxes for Employees

Providing Night Lunchboxes in Reusable Containers to Reduce Disposable Product Use

Using Lunchboxes Made from Our Highly Recyclable Steel Materials

[Gwangyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks (Director Lee Jinsu) announced that it will expand the operation of the 'Yonggiin Dosirak Project,' which converts in-house lunchbox containers into reusable products, and actively practice ESG management.

The 'Yonggiin Dosirak Project' is a project that dares to use reusable lunchbox containers instead of disposable products, overcoming the convenience of single-use items.

Gwangyang Steelworks decided to promote the 'Yonggiin Dosirak Project' inspired by the 'Yongginae Challenge,' which aims to reduce unnecessary waste generated from food packaging, and started reducing disposable waste by providing night lunchboxes, which were previously served in disposable containers, in stainless steel reusable containers.

In particular, to allow employees to conveniently use reusable lunchbox containers as before, two joint labor-management product evaluation meetings were held, and by reflecting employees' vivid evaluations, customized dedicated containers for three types of Korean food, well-being food, and convenience food were developed in collaboration with the client company 'CNT Korea,' attracting attention.

The lunchbox containers were made from stainless steel produced by POSCO, adding more significance. Steel is an eco-friendly material with a recycling rate of 85%, higher than other materials such as aluminum and plastic, and has relatively low carbon emissions of 0.71 tons during recycling.

Since then, from January this year, Gwangyang Steelworks conducted a pilot operation of stainless steel lunchbox container use for about three months targeting 44 locations including the Steelmaking Department, Plating Department, and Cold Rolling Department.

Employees expressed their participation impressions of the 'Yonggiin Dosirak Project' saying, "I want to contribute to meaningful practice," and "I hope Gwangyang Steelworks will take the lead in carbon neutrality by gradually reducing disposable products within the steelworks starting with lunchboxes."

Gwangyang Steelworks plans to collect and improve issues found during the pilot operation and expand the implementation to 18 locations including the Ironmaking Department from April 1, and will gradually increase the number of locations adopting the Yonggiin Dosirak.

Meanwhile, in January last year, Gwangyang Steelworks encouraged reducing disposable cups by providing all employees with tumblers made from its own stainless steel material, and in August signed an MOU for the Gwangyang Bay Area Resource Circulation Project, promoting an upcycling project that recycles transparent PET bottles generated at the steelworks into work uniforms. Through various campaigns to reduce disposable waste, the company is actively striving to realize a 'company that protects the environment together.'

Gwangyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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