Number of Reusable Container Orders Up 137% Last Year
Service Expanded to 20 Districts in Seoul
Eco-friendly delivery culture is spreading centered around Baedal Minjok. The areas where reusable container delivery orders, collected by Baemin, are possible are gradually increasing. Despite the potential inconvenience, orders choosing reusable containers continue to rise. The greenhouse gas reduction effect from reducing the use of disposable items during delivery has already been proven with spoons and forks.
According to Woowa Brothers, the operator of Baemin, the number of reusable container orders increased by about 137% compared to the previous year. Additionally, the service areas for reusable containers expanded by approximately 40% year-on-year. The reusable delivery container service is one of Baemin’s representative eco-friendly activities, first launched in 2022 in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. When customers select reusable containers on the Baemin app and receive their delivery, they apply for container return via a QR code after their meal, and then the reusable container service operator handles washing and container return.
Baemin has actively collaborated with Seoul City, Gyeonggi Province, and others to expand the service areas, emphasizing that this service allows both partner stores and users to easily participate in reducing disposable item use. Using reusable containers not only has environmental benefits but also allows partner stores to provide food in hygienic and safe stainless steel containers. Users can also reduce the hassle of disposing of packaging containers. Although costs arise from collection and washing when using reusable containers, Baemin has provided the service without user burden through cooperation with local governments. The startup ‘Itgreen’ is responsible for overall management including supply, collection, and washing of reusable containers. The more reusable containers are used, the greater the win-win effect with the startup is expected.
Currently, Baemin’s reusable container delivery service areas include 17 districts in Seoul, Gimpo-si, Gwangmyeong-si, Ansan-si, Anseong-si, Yongin-si, Hwaseong-si, some areas in Siheung-si, Bupyeong-gu and Namdong-gu in Incheon, and Gwanggyo New Town and Ingye-dong in Suwon-si. On the 10th of next month, Gangdong-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, and Jungnang-gu in Seoul will be added, expanding Seoul’s coverage to a total of 20 districts. Baemin also plans to establish a reusable container smart washing center equipped with AI inspection systems in Cheonan-si.
Baemin has already demonstrated the effect of reducing greenhouse gases by cutting disposable items in the delivery industry through the spoon and fork delivery selection feature. After introducing the ‘No disposable spoon/fork needed’ option in 2019, Baemin changed the setting from 2021 so that users request disposable spoons and forks only when necessary. This feature alone has reduced disposable items by 6.3 billion units by 2023. Furthermore, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Carbon Reduction Certification Center certified a greenhouse gas reduction of 23,565 tons in 2023. A Baemin official said, "We are conducting various promotions to spread the use of reusable containers," adding, "We will lead an eco-friendly delivery culture through cooperation with our partners."
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