Transforming into Clothes Hangers? Coping Strategies of Companies in the Eco-Friendly Era 

The era of eco-friendliness, companies in emergency mode 

Companies have been developing eco-friendly materials to reduce the use of disposable items and plastic materials for over 20 years. 

From Starbucks, Nike, Adidas, McDonald's to Lotte A-Cis and luxury fashion brands like Gucci and Prada, most companies are now focusing on the development and use of eco-friendly materials. 

Amorepacific has been collecting a total of 1,736 tons of cosmetic bottles for recycling since 2003 and researching recycling methods for them. 

They also recycle the bottles through refill stations. 

However, despite the efforts of brands and companies, questions arise about whether proper practices such as 'separation and recycling,' 'disintegration,' and 'carbon neutrality' are being followed, and whether the direction is correct. 

True 'eco-friendly products' should be able to be buried in the ground or recycled when discarded. 

Moreover, the key point of biodegradable materials, which have emerged as an alternative to environmental pollution, is 'compostability.'

However, in many cases, these products are disposed of as general waste and undergo 'incineration.' 

Furthermore, most products labeled as eco-friendly are not entirely free of plastic; they merely include biodegradable components mixed with plastic. 

Biomass made from harvested trees or waste wood is classified as renewable, but doubts have arisen about its carbon neutrality. 

□ Plastic-free and eco-friendly are now essential requirements

The pressure is now on. With the increase in online shopping, initiatives such as going plastic-free, eco-friendly packaging, and zero waste are becoming unavoidable conditions for companies, regulated by national laws and regulations. 

Across China, the production and sale of foam plastic food containers and plastic cotton swabs have been banned this year. From 2023, shampoos, conditioners, hand sanitizers, scrubs, toothpaste, and other products containing microplastic particles will also be banned from sale. 

By 2026, plastic bags will be banned in most areas of China, and disposable plastic tableware and vinyl packaging for delivery will also be prohibited. 

Meanwhile, Canada, which disposes of more than 3 million tons of plastic waste annually, has introduced a Zero Plastic Waste Strategy by 2030, mandating the use of alternatives to disposable plastic products. 

Europe is also pushing for the introduction of a 'plastic tax' that imposes taxes on plastic waste.

South Korea is no exception. From 2022, regulations on disposable items will begin for accommodations with 50 rooms or more, starting with hotels and expanding to all accommodation facilities by 2024. 

Starting this year, delivery containers and dishes are encouraged to use eco-friendly materials, and plastic cups will be subject to a deposit system from June next year. 

Moreover, from next year, the use of plastic straws and stirrers will be prohibited, and the use of bags or shopping bags will be banned in convenience stores and bakeries. 

Starting in 2023, it will be prohibited in all industries, and after 2030, material standardization or the mandatory replacement of disposable containers will be enforced.

□ Consumers are moving towards eco-friendly values

The consideration of eco-friendly policies by companies is not only due to serious environmental issues or policies. 

It is natural and necessary for companies to have a sense of responsibility for environmental waste and pollution. However, now consumers are also beginning to recognize the problem. 

Many consumers prioritize sustainability when making purchasing decisions, and some are willing to pay a premium for products that promote sustainability. 

Last year, 12 'clean beauty' brands certified by CJ Olive Young for adhering to its own clean beauty standards, including ingredient, animal protection, and eco-friendliness, saw a doubling in sales of basic cosmetics compared to the previous year. 

Among the 956 companies certified with the Environmental Label in 2019, sales for all these companies increased by an average of over 20% (according to a survey by the Ministry of Environment).

Nowadays, consumers are reaching for environmentally friendly packaging or products with environmentally friendly ingredients, even if they cost the same or a little more. 

This is evident in the case of 'Zero-bar,' a solid soap released by lifestyle brand Jaju in early June this year, which sold out all its planned inventory for five months within a month of its release. 

It applied packaging made of FSC-certified paper printed with soy ink instead of plastic containers, and was made with mild ingredients excluding preservatives, artificial fragrances, and artificial colors. Eighty percent of the customers who purchased it were millennials who enjoy 'mining-out' consumption.

In addition, H&M has developed a dual-purpose bag made of 80% recycled paper for clothes hangers, demonstrating interesting designs and eco-friendly practices. 

Nike Air Max shoes are packaged with air cushions, using fewer materials than before. 

Adidas continues to introduce shoes made from ocean plastic.

□ REVATION, A-Z of eco-friendly packaging

Eco-friendly packaging and waste reduction will undoubtedly have an impact on cost savings for companies in the long run, such as product manufacturing and tax deductions. 

However, it takes time for eco-friendly standards to reach 'complete eco-friendliness,' and if incineration remains a reality rather than complete decomposition or recycling, package designs that consider everything from development to incineration are needed. 

While large companies with sufficient infrastructure may find it relatively easy to develop related technologies, materials, designs, and process development, small and medium-sized enterprises or manufacturing plants may find it daunting. 

In Korea, there are small and medium-sized companies that develop eco-friendly materials or supply related materials, but it is a reality that there are no companies that manage and develop the entire process from R&D to delivery and production. 

However, regulations on the use of materials such as plastics will undoubtedly bring about the growth of markets for recyclable or biodegradable alternative materials.

REVATION, established in April, is a specialist company in eco-friendly packaging development. 

As an R&D solutions company for eco-friendly packaging, REVATION has brought together LG Household & Health Care, in-house designers from Have & Be (Dr. Jart+), and product R&D and production professionals. 

Above all, it has an all-in-one system, including production processes through a professional production company factory. 

Lee Min-sung, the CEO of REVATION, says, "Nowadays, companies regard eco-friendly solutions as the most important part of ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) management strategies." 

The success of the product is not only about the product itself but also about the company's sustainability.

 https://blog.naver.com/businessinsight/222448743966