CU Opens Second Green Store...Eco-Friendly Bags Introduced at Nationwide Directly Managed Stores

CU Green Store No. 2. (Photo by CU)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] CU announced on the 1st that it has opened the second Green Store, an eco-friendly convenience store, and will actively expand its eco-friendly policies.

The second CU Green Store is the CU Wirye 35 Complex branch located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Following the concept of 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), all elements of the store?from facilities and fixtures to interior design and operations?have been implemented as an urban eco-friendly convenience store.

Similar to the first store opened in December last year, this store is equipped with an energy management system, high-efficiency refrigerated display cases, natural refrigerant freezers and outdoor units, air purification systems, and food waste processors.

These installations maximize energy efficiency and significantly contribute to environmental protection by reducing the Global Warming Potential (GWP) by approximately 80%. The store can save up to 17% on electricity consumption, reducing operating costs, and is expected to enhance customers' psychological satisfaction as well.

Additionally, CU Green Store has started selling green-certified products certified by the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute to encourage eco-friendly consumption. These mainly include daily necessities such as eco-friendly tissues, shampoos, kitchen detergents, and eco zipper bags that have received environmental marks.

Eco-friendly bags made from PLA material will be introduced in all directly managed stores nationwide. PLA is an eco-friendly resin extracted from 100% plant-based materials such as corn and biodegrades within 180 hours in soil environments at 58˚C, making it harmless to humans and the environment.

To reduce the use of plastic bags in daily life, CU will offer these eco-friendly bags for a fee of 100 won at over 130 directly managed stores nationwide starting in early April. A portion of the collected funds will be donated to environmental organizations.

The eco-friendly bags were first introduced in the industry at the first Green Store in December last year and received positive responses from customers who share a consensus on environmental protection.

Jongseong Park, Head of Management Planning Team at BGF Retail, said, “In line with the recent 필(必)environment trend, we are making company-wide efforts and paying close attention by proactively introducing eco-friendly stores in the convenience store industry. We plan to continuously promote and expand various policies for environmental protection by closely monitoring customer usage of eco-friendly bags and other initiatives.”