This innovative initiative aims to reduce environmental pollution by packaging the emergency bottled water supply, meant for situations like water supply disruptions or disasters, in recycled plastic bottles. (Image courtesy of The Seoul Metropolitan Government)
SEOUL, Jun. 4 (Korea Bizwire) –The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on May 4 that it will produce its bottled drinking water brand Arisu in 100% recycled plastic PET bottles.
Last year, the city supplied Arisu in bottles made with 30% recycled plastic, which had received certification from the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Now, Seoul has increased the recycled content to 100%.
Additionally, the amount of plastic used to manufacture each PET bottle has been reduced from 19 grams to 14 grams. The bottles will have no labels, and the production date will be engraved using eco-friendly lasers instead of ink or chemical dyes.
This innovative initiative aims to reduce environmental pollution by packaging the emergency bottled water supply, meant for situations like water supply disruptions or disasters, in recycled plastic bottles.
To highlight Seoul’s identity, the bottle cap color has been changed to Sky Coral, and Braille lettering has been added so the visually impaired can also consume the water safely.
The city plans to produce a total of 650,000 bottles this year – 450,000 350ml bottles and 200,000 2-liter bottles.
This will allow recycling approximately 16 tons of waste plastic and is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17 tons of CO2 equivalent compared to using new plastic.
However, bottles made from 100% recycled plastic are more expensive due to lower demand compared to new plastic bottles. The unit price for a 350ml recycled bottle is 288 won, higher than the 110 won for a new plastic bottle.
“The budget for producing 100% recycled Arisu bottles is around 260 million won, but it’s not a waste as it promotes using recycled materials. The unit price will gradually decrease,” said Eo Yong-sun, production manager at the Seoul Arisu headquarters.
Seoul claims its policy of using 100 percent recycled plastic is a global benchmark. In contrast, the Ministry of Environment and the European Union have set more modest targets of 30 percent recycled material usage by 2030.
Major global companies such as PepsiCo and Coca-Cola are aiming for 50 percent recycled content in their plastic bottles and packaging, respectively, by 2030.
The city is preparing to submit its 100% recycled Arisu bottles to the RECOUP Awards held in the UK this year by the non-profit RECOUP, which recognizes leaders in the circular plastics value chain. RECOUP’s members include major companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Nestlé.
Additionally, Seoul plans to explore introducing recycled materials for valves, PE pipes, and PVC pipes in its water supply facilities.
“Producing Arisu bottled water in 100% recycled bottles is a leading example of the circular economy, far ahead of the national government and other global cities,” said Han Young-hee, head of the Seoul Arisu headquarters. “We will actively pursue recycling initiatives to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
