Dongwon F&B Practices ESG Management by Lightweighting PET Bottles... Reduces 1,200t of Plastic

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Dongwon F&B is accelerating its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management through the lightweighting of ‘Dongwon Saemmul’ PET products.

After more than two years of research and development (R&D), Dongwon F&B has reduced the weight of the 500㎖ and 2ℓ PET products of Dongwon Saemmul by 15.7% and 8.4%, respectively. The 500㎖ PET product weighs 11.8g, making it one of the lightest in the industry.

They also introduced the lighter ‘eco-cap’ by lowering the height of the cap. The label length was reduced by more than 20% to enhance environmental protection effects. Dongwon F&B expects to save approximately 1,200 tons of plastic annually through this product lightweighting.

Dongwon F&B has been leading sustainable management by engaging in various ESG activities. In 2013, they signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment to reduce the weight of PET bottles, cutting the weight of the 500㎖ Dongwon Saemmul PET bottle from 19g to 14g. In 2020, they created ‘Dongwon Saemmul Fresh,’ the first frozen water cooling material in Korea that can be used instead of ice packs.

Last year, they also launched the eco-friendly water ‘Dongwon Saemmul Labelfree’ without labels. The package design was recently renewed as well. The natural environment of Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do, the main water source of Dongwon Saemmul, was visualized and implemented with a three-dimensional effect on the PET bottle and label.