Ministry of Environment Recognizes High Recycling Value
To Be Used as Raw Material for Biodiesel Production
Ourhome announced on the 24th that it has become the first domestic food manufacturer to obtain the 'Circular Resource Recognition' for waste cooking oil.
Circular resources refer to resources produced and used by recycling waste, recognized by the Ministry of Environment for their high recycling value in terms of environmental performance, economic feasibility, and technical aspects. To receive circular resource recognition, verification such as technical review, document examination, and on-site inspection must be conducted by an institution under the Ministry of Environment. Recognized circular resources are exempt from regulations under the Waste Management Act.
The facility that received the circular resource recognition for waste cooking oil is Ourhome Eumseong Factory located in Eumseong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. The circular resource recognition review was conducted by the Wonju Regional Environmental Office, and this is the first recognition case in the jurisdiction. Ourhome Eumseong Factory is built with a total floor area of 37,485㎡ and five floors, producing meat products such as fried foods, oil-fried foods, cutlets, and kimchi products.
Ourhome established a plan to collect, manage, and recycle waste cooking oil generated from the meat product production process within the Eumseong Factory, thereby obtaining circular resource recognition. The recognition period is three years until October 2027, during which approximately 27 tons of waste cooking oil will be used as raw material for biodiesel production.
Ourhome plans not to be satisfied with this circular resource recognition but to discover, verify, and list circular resource targets across all business sites. In addition to circular resource recognition, the company aims to acquire and expand other environmental-related certifications such as the Environmental Management System (ISO14001) and Waste Landfill Zero grade, positioning itself as a leading company in resource circulation.
An Ourhome official stated, “We are very proud to have received the circular resource recognition for waste cooking oil as the first domestic food manufacturer as a result of our efforts to fulfill corporate responsibility for environmental conservation and resource saving,” adding, “We will continue to establish recycling plans for waste generated from various business sites such as company cafeterias and manufacturing facilities to establish ourselves as an eco-friendly company leading resource circulation.”
Meanwhile, Ourhome has been steadily continuing environmental certifications and environmental management activities. In October 2022, Ourhome Gyeryong Factory was verified to have a 100% waste recycling rate and became the first in the food industry to receive the platinum grade, the highest rating in the international verification of 'Waste Landfill Zero.' In December of the same year, it was re-recognized by the Ministry of Environment as a circular resource for baking by-products and legume processing by-products. In January this year, it became the first in the country to certify circular resources for waste cooking oil, and in June, it signed an 'Environmental Education Cooperation Agreement' with the Ministry of Environment to realize a sustainable future and promote social contribution.
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