Philip Morris Korea to Launch IQOS Device Return Program at Post Offices Next Year

Agreement Signed with Korea Post Headquarters, Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and Environmental Foundation
Collected Devices to Be Properly Processed by Recycling Companies

On December 16, Philip Morris Korea announced that it had signed a business agreement with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Korea Post Headquarters, and the Environmental Foundation to launch a mailback project for its heated tobacco device, IQOS.

Philip Morris Korea signed a business agreement on the "IQOS Device Mail Collection Project" with the Korea Post Headquarters, Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and the Environmental Foundation on the 16th. (From left) Juhan Kim, Vice President of External Policy and Public Relations at Philip Morris Korea; Mikyung Lee, CEO of the Environmental Foundation; Byungjin Kwak, Acting Director of Korea Post Headquarters; Junggi Ahn, Head of Household Waste Division at the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.
[Photo by Philip Morris Korea]

IQOS device return envelopes will be placed at 220 post offices nationwide, allowing consumers to put their used devices in the envelope and either submit them at a post office counter or drop them into a nearby mailbox. The collected devices will be processed by recycling companies in a way that minimizes environmental impact.

This project is significant as it is being carried out through public-private cooperation. Philip Morris Korea will create sustainable environmental value by making financial investments and providing support necessary to establish and operate the electronic cigarette device collection system, while the Environmental Foundation will lead campaign operations to encourage easy public participation.

The Korea Post Headquarters will efficiently manage the collection process by utilizing its nationwide logistics network, and the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will enhance the project's effectiveness by providing administrative support and improving regulations and policies to promote the recycling of electronic cigarette devices. This project will be conducted as a pilot program for one year starting January next year.

Juhan Kim, Vice President of External Policy and Public Relations at Philip Morris Korea, stated, "This project marks a meaningful starting point, as it is the first time the public and private sectors have joined forces to promote the collection and recycling of used electronic cigarette devices. We hope the recycling system for electronic cigarette devices will be established on a stable footing, and as a corporate citizen, we will continue to make various efforts to fulfill our environmental responsibilities."