SSG.COM’s disposable delivery bag. (image: SSG.COM)
SEOUL, Oct. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — With demand for delivery services on the rise following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, a growing number of South Koreans are voicing concerns over the increasing amount of disposable packaging being generated and discarded.
In response, several home shopping retailers and online shopping malls are launching eco-friendly delivery services to overcome environmental risks.
Market Kurly, an online grocery delivery platform, retrieves paper boxes used for delivery.
When customers leave paper boxes outside, the company collects them and sends them to a recycling company. Any profit made from this process is used to purchase air-purifying plants that are then donated to elementary schools.
Market Kurly uses paper to wrap all early morning deliveries as well.
SSG.COM, Shinsegae Group’s integrated online shopping mall, banned the use of disposable delivery packaging.
The home shopping industry has introduced eco-friendly ice packs and tape-free cardboard boxes.
Lotte Homeshopping, GS Homeshopping, and NS Home Shopping replaced gel-based ice packs with water ice packs for frozen or refrigerated food.
Water ice packs are made of biodegradable vinyl and paper.
GS Homeshopping, NS Home Shopping and Hyundai Home Shopping Network introduced eco-friendly boxing tape or finger boxes that do not require any tape.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
