Ice Packs Also Changed to Eco-Friendly Materials
Emart announced on the 10th that it has introduced a 'Styrofoam Zero' strategy for its Lunar New Year meat and seafood gift sets this year.
Emart replaced the packaging materials of 15 refrigerated meat gift set items, about 40%, and 7 seafood gift set items, about 20%, from Styrofoam to paper materials. This is expected to reduce Styrofoam usage by approximately 1.5 tons.
To implement the Styrofoam Zero strategy, tests were conducted on packaging materials. To ensure the most important cooling function, the thickness of the packaging paper was increased, and the structure was intricately designed to withstand external shocks. Actual cooling tests showed that the effect was at the same level as Styrofoam cooling.
The ice packs were also changed to eco-friendly materials. The ice pack components used in all meat sets were switched from polymer materials, which were highly harmful to the environment, to water and starch. The ice pack packaging was also changed to low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a single material that can be recycled separately.
Eco-friendly packaging methods were also applied to fruit sets. Emart Naturalism's four types of citrus sets were packed in paper string bags instead of non-woven fabric bags. The paper string bag is a packaging material made by combining thread and paper, serving as a substitute for non-woven fabric bags that cannot be recycled separately.
An Emart official said, “As value consumption that prioritizes a healthy life and the environment expands, we have expanded the introduction of eco-friendly packaging materials in gift sets. We will continue to participate in value consumption activities that emphasize environmental and social values.”
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