'Re-Use Economy' on the Rise... Circular Economy Gains Momentum in Industry

Re-use Industry Becomes a Consumer Trend
Circular Economy Expands in Daily Life with Evezari and Starbucks

The re-use industry is emerging as a new growth engine. As circular economy structures such as recommerce, recycling, and refurbished goods become more widespread, companies are presenting solutions that accelerate the transition to eco-friendly practices.

According to the industry as of November 10, companies are speeding up the establishment of "circular business models" by recycling resources and reducing waste.

Image generated by ChatGPT

According to Deloitte, the global circular economy market is expected to more than double from $338 billion in 2022 to $712 billion in 2026. In a recent survey conducted by GCN Green Consumer Network and the Global Recommerce Industry Association with 1,000 consumers, the top factor considered most helpful for realizing a circular economy was the "activation of the recommerce market" (46.7%).

Evezari is a leading example in the recycling sector. Evezari was the first in the country to launch a "Used Blanket Circular Economy Pilot Project," beginning to repurpose bedding that was previously incinerated. Bedding has traditionally been classified as difficult-to-dispose waste due to its large size and diverse materials, making separation and recycling challenging. However, Evezari conducted its first pilot project in Jeju Island last year and expanded the used blanket collection campaign to Suwon and Yongin in Gyeonggi Province this year.

The collected blankets have been reborn as upcycled products. Evezari stated, "We will take the lead in establishing a resource circulation system for bedding from production to collection," adding, "We plan to continue various projects to promote sustainable consumption and eco-friendly management."

Evezari Used Blanket Collection Campaign Poster. Evezari

Since 2015, Starbucks Korea has been running a project to recycle coffee grounds into compost, providing a cumulative total of 5,500 tons of coffee compost to local farms. The company is also developing eco-friendly trays and sweet potato products using coffee grounds. The waste management platform "Jiguhada" collaborated with major local governments in Seoul to collect 1,266 tons of coffee grounds by July this year, converting them into renewable energy resources.

Perceptions of the refurbished market are also changing. Whereas refurbished products were once regarded as defective, the introduction of inspection certification systems and the expansion of experiential stores have increased consumer trust. Cozyma opened refurbished massage chair pop-up stores at premium outlets in Paju and Busan, selling grade-A products inspected by experts. Bodyfriend offers free after-sales service for certified refurbished products, encouraging rational consumption through its official online mall.

"Food refurb" is also attracting attention. This concept involves giving new value to agricultural products and foods that, despite being perfectly edible and nutritious, are visually blemished or considered less marketable. "Uglyus," which sells misshapen produce at reasonable prices, surpassed 500,000 cumulative members last year and is experiencing rapid growth.

An industry insider said, "As value-driven consumption that considers eco-friendliness becomes more popular, circular economy approaches are being found in a variety of fields."