CU Expands 'Straw-Free Cup Ice' Nationwide... Reducing Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 1,000 Tons

CU announced on the 19th that it will expand its straw-free 'drinking lid cup ice' nationwide.

CU will expand the drinking lid cup ice, which was introduced last year mainly in metropolitan area stores, to about 17,000 stores nationwide. CU cup ice is a product that sells approximately 200 million units annually, and using the straw-free drinking lid cup ice is expected to reduce about 200 tons of plastic per year. CU explained that this corresponds to reducing about 1,000 tons of greenhouse gases, which is equivalent to planting 340,000 pine trees.

CU emphasized that it strengthened the process of shaping the lid edge into a pleated form to prevent beverage spillage when tilting the drink. Additionally, considering cases where products are stacked during storage, the drinking part was made recessed so that the cap does not touch other products.

Jung Seung-wook, head of the Beverage Food Team at BGF Retail, said, “In line with the growing importance of environmental preservation, we have proactively introduced the drinking lid cup ice industry-wide. CU will continue to develop related products to reduce disposable item usage and strive to spread an eco-friendly culture in convenience stores.”