Korea Post Headquarters Simultaneously Implements Nationwide Collection of 'Coffee Capsule' Mailboxes

The Korea Post announced that starting from the 18th, the coffee capsule collection project will be simultaneously implemented nationwide.

Coffee Capsule Collection Program Process. Provided by Korea Post Headquarters

This project is being carried out in accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed in July between Korea Post, the Ministry of Environment, and Dongseo Food. The collection project involves purchasers of Dongseo Food capsule coffee separating the coffee grounds using an opener (capsule recycler) after use, placing the aluminum capsules into a dedicated postal collection bag, and depositing it into a mailbox, from which it will be collected through the post office network.

The aluminum capsules deposited in the mailbox are collected by postal workers and delivered to recycling companies, which then use the collected aluminum capsules as recycled materials. This establishes a foundation for recycling aluminum coffee capsules that would otherwise be easily discarded (disposed of).

The dedicated postal collection bags and openers used to separate the coffee grounds will be produced by Dongseo Food and distributed through the main post offices nationwide. Mailboxes near users can be found via the QR code printed on the collection bags, the Internet Post Office, or the Post Office app.

The coffee capsule collection project is expected to serve as an opportunity to widely promote the government's recycling separation policy to the public while fostering public-private cooperation to lead environmental protection efforts.

Jo Haegun, head of Korea Post, stated, “Korea Post will take the lead in establishing a recycling and resource circulation system for various resources, including coffee capsules.”