"Transformed After 40 Years" Korea Post Headquarters Converts and Installs 'ECO Mailboxes'

In addition to regular letters, ECO mailboxes that can accept parcels, expired pharmaceuticals, and used coffee capsules will be initially replaced and installed mainly in Seoul.

The Korea Post announced on the 16th that it will introduce ‘ECO mailboxes’ to replace existing mailboxes and install them throughout Jongno-gu and Gangnam-gu in Seoul, as well as at main post offices located in Seoul, by the end of this year.

Physical model of the 'ECO Mailbox'. Provided by the Korea Post Headquarters

A total of about 90 ECO mailboxes will be installed. These mailboxes are designed and operated with separate compartments for mail, expired pharmaceuticals, and used coffee capsules to prevent contamination of mail items. The left compartment is designated for letters, mail, and parcels, while the right compartment is for expired pharmaceuticals and used coffee capsules.

The right compartment is sized like Post Office Box No. 2 (27cm×18cm×15cm), allowing small parcels to be deposited. For parcel mail, users can scan the QR code on the surface of the mailbox or apply through the Korea Post app or website’s simple pre-registration before depositing. At this time, the 16-digit pre-registration number provided during the application must be written on the surface of the parcel box.

The introduction of ECO mailboxes marks the first update in 40 years since the current mailboxes were introduced in 1984. The Korea Post also changed the material of the ECO mailboxes from the existing fiberglass-reinforced plastic to steel plates to prevent environmental pollution. Fiberglass-reinforced plastic mailboxes have the advantages of being inexpensive and corrosion-resistant, making them easy to maintain. However, they are vulnerable to external impact and difficult to recycle, causing environmental pollution when discarded.

Provided by Korea Post Headquarters

The Korea Post sequentially promoted the collection of expired pharmaceuticals last year and the collection of used coffee capsules this year to expand the function of mailboxes, which previously only delivered letters. The introduction of ECO mailboxes is a kind of follow-up measure to support these projects.

The ECO mailboxes are expected to be gradually expanded and installed in regions outside Seoul in the future.

Cho Hae-geun, head of the Korea Post, said, “We hope that the introduction of ECO mailboxes will lead to improved postal services for the public,” adding, “The Korea Post will enhance convenience for postal users and ensure that resource-circulating postal services spread nationwide.”

Meanwhile, as the mail slot of the ECO mailbox has become larger, there are concerns about the disposal of trash and other items. In this regard, the Korea Post emphasized that if mail is damaged due to the illegal disposal of cigarette butts, beverages, etc., offenders may face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won under the ‘Postal Service Act.’

It also added that even for simple littering such as tissues, fines and penalties may be imposed under the ‘Minor Offenses Act’ and the ‘Waste Management Act.’