Emart and Traders Expand 'Detergent Refill Vending Machines' to 8 Stores

Refilling Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener in Reusable Dedicated Containers

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Emart announced on the 27th that it will expand its 'Eco Refill Station (photo),' where customers can purchase eco-friendly laundry detergent and fabric softener by refilling reusable containers, to a total of 8 stores.

The Eco Refill Station is the first 'laundry detergent and fabric softener refill vending machine' introduced in large domestic marts, developed through collaboration between Emart, eco-friendly detergent specialist Sugar Bubble, the Ministry of Environment, and the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute. Customers can refill eco-friendly detergent or fabric softener using only a dedicated refill container, making it easy to reduce plastic use in daily life and participate in environmental protection.

Starting with the Wangsimni store on the 28th, Emart will sequentially install Eco Refill Stations at four other locations including Eunpyeong, Jukjeon, and Yeongdeungpo stores, as well as two Traders stores in Suwon and Songnim by next month. Including the Emart Seongsu store and Traders Anseong store, which began pilot operations last September, the service will be available at a total of 8 Emart and Traders locations.

The products sold here are Sugar Bubble's 'Natural Bubble Laundry Detergent' and 'Snow Cotton Fabric Softener,' each in 3L sizes, priced at 4,500 KRW and 3,600 KRW respectively, which is 35-39% cheaper than the regular products. The reusable refill containers, made from recycled plastic materials, cost 500 KRW.

Currently, more than 1,000 customers use the Eco Refill Station monthly, with particularly positive responses from housewives who are highly sensitive to plastic fatigue, Emart explained. Additionally, they plan to introduce shampoo and body wash in eco-friendly packaging refill formats within this year.

Besides the Eco Refill Station, Emart is conducting various environmental projects such as the 'Mobile Receipt Campaign' and 'Reduction of Vinyl Roll Bags.' Currently, one in five Emart customers uses mobile receipts, and the use of vinyl roll bags has decreased by 72% compared to before the agreement with the Ministry of Environment. No Brand and small and medium-sized partners are also collaborating to develop eco-friendly certified products such as laundry detergents with the 'Environmental Label Certification' mark.