CJ Foodville Tous Les Jours "Let's Practice Reducing Plastic Bread Knives Together"

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] CJ Foodville's Tous Les Jours announced on the 20th that it will start a small practice to reduce plastic usage.

Starting this month, Tous Les Jours will provide plastic knives included with cake purchases only upon customer request. Until now, plastic knives were packaged regardless of customer need, but the policy has been changed to reduce disposable items and plastic. This is currently being implemented immediately at all directly operated stores and about 60 franchise stores, with plans to actively expand the number of applicable stores. Overseas, some Tous Les Jours stores in the United States have been providing disposable tableware, including plastic knives, only to customers who need them since 2018, and this will be expanded to other regions and countries this year.

Recently, with environmental awareness rising significantly due to abnormal climate changes, consumers are increasingly practicing eco-friendly consumption in their daily lives. Examples include the 'Yonggi Na Campaign' started to reduce unnecessary waste from food packaging, the 'Zero Waste Challenge' to live without trash, and eco-friendly activities like 'Beachcombing' and 'Plogging,' which involve walking or exercising for health while protecting the environment. These activities are especially expanding rapidly among the MZ generation, who regard 'meaning out' as a core value and consider such actions 'HIP.'

Plastic bread knives also attracted much attention last year when the 'Roll Cake Bread Knife Out' campaign was initiated by general consumers on social media. Consumers nationwide collected about 300 bread knives over two weeks, becoming a hot topic.

Tous Les Jours is focusing on the activities of conscious consumers who want to bring about eco-friendly changes and plans to actively discover and expand meaningful activities that the brand can implement.

A CJ Foodville official said, “We agree that eco-friendliness is no longer about sustainability but essential for survival, and we will sincerely consider the role and practical measures of the company and continue to change.”