LG Tumbler Cleaners to Be Installed in All Starbucks Stores

Agreement on the 27th between Ministry of Environment, Starbucks, and Resource Circulation Social Solidarity
Sequential installation of tumbler washer 'MyCup' from the second half
"Spreading the culture of reusable cup use"

LG Electronics is accelerating the expansion of its new concept tumbler washer, 'myCup.'

LG Electronics announced that on the 27th, it held a 'Memorandum of Understanding Ceremony for the Spread of Reusable Cup Usage Culture' at the Starbucks Jongno R branch located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, together with the Ministry of Environment, Starbucks Korea, and the Resource Circulation Solidarity. The ceremony was attended by Hyunwook Lee, Vice President and Head of Kitchen Solutions Division at LG Electronics H&A Business Division; Han Hwa-jin, Minister of Environment; Jeonghyun Son, CEO of Starbucks Korea; and Mihwa Kim, Chairperson of the Resource Circulation Solidarity.

LG Electronics developed the tumbler washer myCup to promote the use of reusable cups. This product integrates the performance of the Dios dishwasher and technical know-how such as multi-directional washing. Customers simply open the upper door of the washer, place the tumbler upside down inside, close the door, and select the desired course on the touchscreen or the myCup app. When using the smartphone app, a push notification informs the user after washing is complete.

LG Electronics is leading the spread of a culture of using reusable cups instead of disposable ones by expanding the distribution of its new concept tumbler cleaner, 'myCup,' and practicing ESG management. LG myCup installed at Starbucks Jongno R branch.
[Photo by LG Electronics]

Since the end of 2022, LG Electronics has been testing myCup in collaboration with Starbucks at selected stores (Gyeongdong 1960, Sookmyung Women's University Main Gate, Korea University Anam Hospital, Changwon-daero DT). Based on customer feedback collected during the pre-test period, which suggested washing not only the inside but also the outside and lid of the tumbler, LG Electronics applied multi-directional washing blades to clean both the inside and outside simultaneously. Through this agreement, myCup will be sequentially installed in all Starbucks stores nationwide.

The Ministry of Environment is encouraging the establishment of a reusable cup culture within stores such as coffee shops and fast-food outlets to reduce the use of disposable products. The Resource Circulation Solidarity is conducting campaigns to promote the culture of reusable cup usage and will review the effectiveness through performance monitoring.

LG Electronics plans to officially launch myCup as a B2B subscription service within this year. Additionally, the myCup app will provide a washing report showing how much carbon emissions have been reduced through tumbler washing, offering customers an experience of participating in carbon reduction through an eco-friendly platform service. Various content such as events, challenges, and short-form videos utilizing this will be developed in the future.

Hyunwook Lee, Vice President and Head of Kitchen Solutions Division at LG Electronics H&A Business Division, said, "We will strive to establish a reusable cup culture by expanding the distribution of the tumbler washer myCup, which provides a differentiated customer experience," adding, "We will take the lead in various ESG activities that contribute to environmental protection."