[Climate Tech Series (17)] "Eliminating Single-Use Products is the Goal"... Total Reusable Container Solution 'The Greet'

Interview with Yang Woo-jung, CEO of The Greet
Developed reusable containers with design patents
Established collection and cleaning system

We live in an era overflowing with disposable products. Among these, one-third become plastic waste. According to Greenpeace's “Plastic Korea 2.0” report released last year, the consumption of disposable plastic cups in South Korea increased from 3.3 billion units in 2017 to 5.3 billion units in 2020. The Greet, a startup providing total solutions for reusable containers, has stepped up to reduce the growing use of disposable products. They manufacture reusable containers, operate collection services, and even provide dishwashing.

Climate Tech Spotlight - Yang Woo-jung, CEO of The Grit, is interviewed by Asia Economy at the office in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Yang Woo-jung, CEO of The Greet, said on the 7th, “Our goal is to create a world without disposable products.” Having worked in environmental, safety, and process management at a major construction company, he witnessed the surge in disposable products due to food delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic and felt the seriousness of plastic waste. Yang explained, “I searched for technologies or solutions to reduce disposable products for a year but couldn’t find any. Since I have experience in process management, I thought I could provide a total solution, so I established the corporation in 2021.”

The Greet’s idea was, “Is single-use and disposal really the most convenient method? What if there is a method that is not more expensive than disposable containers and is as easy to use and dispose of as disposable containers?” Accordingly, they created 36 types of safe and practical reusable containers. The cups come in various sizes such as 355 ml, 473 ml, and 650 ml, and both round and square containers are available in different capacities. There is a wide variety including spoons, chopsticks, forks, cup lids, utensil cases, and square bowls. Made from polypropylene (PP), a type of plastic, the containers are durable enough to be used more than 500 times. Yang said, “Our products have design patents and are made so that no water can accumulate, preventing dirt buildup, which is a competitive advantage. If reusable containers are used at least four times, the carbon dioxide reduction compared to disposable containers is significant.”

The importance of returning reusable containers after use was not overlooked. If they are discarded without being collected, it contradicts the purpose of reducing disposable products. The Greet’s return boxes can recognize and collect all types of containers, require no pre-washing before return, and allow continuous returns. They immediately analyze for foreign substances or damage. With internal antibacterial features, problems such as odors, bacteria, and insects are prevented. Return machines have been installed at major corporations and public institutions contracted with The Greet. In other locations, a deposit refund system (300 won, 1000 won, etc.) is in place when returning reusable containers. Yang explained, “Daily collection and washing are the principles. When restaurants or cafes order reusable containers, we deliver them within two days at the latest.”

The collected reusable containers are sent to a 200-pyeong (approximately 660 square meters) washing facility. Using the latest seven-step cleaning technologies including pre-washing, ultrasonic cleaning, and high-temperature high-pressure washing, stains and odors are removed. Although specialized detergents are used, they are collaborating with Korea Ecolab to develop more effective detergents. Equipped with a dedicated 10-meter hot air dryer, drying and sterilization technologies specialized for reusable containers prevent deformation and discoloration. After cleaning, the containers undergo UV sterilization and precise inspection before being safely packaged and shipped to users.

In the climate tech heatwave - Yang Woo-jung, CEO of The Grit, explains the product during an interview with Asia Economy at the office in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

The Greet’s total solution for reusable containers is gaining nationwide attention. They supplied over 180,000 reusable containers to a Seoul city festival and signed a business agreement with Gwacheon City for a “Cafe Reusable Container Sharing System Pilot Project.” They also operate reusable cup return machines in Jeju Udo area. Last month, they were selected as a “2024 Baby Unicorn” by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

Ultimately, their dream is to become an infrastructure provider. Yang said, “We don’t necessarily aim to expand to every region nationwide, but since we believe we have the internal and external structure as a total solution, we hope other companies that can share washing facilities, containers, and return machines will emerge. If any region can operate independently, it will become a circular solution, and industry growth will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.” He added, “Changing consumer perceptions about reusable containers and lowering entry barriers are urgent tasks. I hope South Korea’s awareness of reusable containers will advance beyond that of Europe.”

Editor's NoteThe “carbon war” has begun. Our economy has been thrown into the battlefield of technological innovation to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in the long term and to respond to the EU’s mandatory Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for exports in the short term. The amount of carbon emissions reducible with currently commercialized technologies is less than half of the global projected emissions in 2050. Rapid and bold climate tech innovation is urgently needed. Here, we share stories of those who have taken on this challenge.