SK Chemicals Launches 'Dodoli Cup' Free of Environmental Hormones for 'Eco-Friendly Takeout'

Reducing Plastic with the 'Less Plastic' Project
"Dreaming of a 'Korea's Freiburg'"

Cafe beverage served in a Dodori cup made from SK Chemicals' Ecogen material. (Photo by SK Chemicals)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] In Ulsan, it has become possible to see people drinking coffee using reusable cups for takeout.

SK Chemicals announced on the 5th that it will start the 'Reusable Cup Project' in collaboration with Ulsan Broadcasting (UBC).

The 'Reusable Cup Collection Model,' where customers pay a deposit to rent a cup and return it after use, is a method to reduce plastic use and prevent environmental pollution. It began in 2016 in Freiburg, nicknamed the environmental capital of Germany. The project applies the 'Ecozen' material to takeout cups, which are frequently used disposable plastics that can be converted into reusable ones. Through this, SK Chemicals plans to reduce plastic usage and protect the environment.

SK Chemicals stated that 5,000 'Dodori Cups' made of Ecozen material have been produced for the project. Ecozen uses plant-derived ingredients and has superior heat resistance, stain resistance, and chemical resistance against coffee concentrate, orange, lemon, and more compared to the existing copolyester Skygreen product. Most importantly, it does not contain substances of concern such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalate-based plasticizers, which are classified as environmental hormones. For this reason, it meets domestic and international food contact material requirements and is widely used in electronics, food containers, and baby products. An SK Chemicals official said, "The Dodori Cups made with Ecozen embody the hope that 'resource circulation,' which benefits the environment and our lives, will continue joyfully like a round song."

Ulsan Broadcasting, SK Chemicals, and local cafes have completed preparations to operate stores without disposable cups, and since the 23rd of last month, beverages have been served in Dodori Cups at 33 stores in downtown Ulsan. Customers pay a deposit of 3,000 won when purchasing a beverage and take it out in a Dodori Cup, then return the cup to a participating cafe to get their deposit refunded. In Freiburg, about 70% of city cafes participate in the disposable cup deposit service called 'Freiburg Cup,' with a return rate of approximately 85%. Ulsan Broadcasting will air the entire process, including local cafe consultations, citizen participation, and cup production, through the program 'Earth Talk in the Era of Essential Environment.' They plan to continue the campaign and increase the number of participating cafes.

Kim Eungsu, head of the Copolyester Division at SK Chemicals, said, "Along with plastic recycling, the importance of reducing disposable products and increasing the use of reusable products, which means reduction, is growing for environmental protection. Based on the excellent physical properties of the material, we will continue to strive to solve the problem of disposable plastic containers."