Press Release

Board View

ME's pilot project to cut back on disposable delivery boxes was successful

▷ The pilot project for reusable delivery boxes confirmed environmental and resource circulation benefits


Sejong, September 16 - The Ministry of Environment (ME, Minister Han Wha-jin) announced that it piloted to use of reusable delivery boxes with five distribution companies, including CJ ENM, Market Kurly, Nonghyup, Wonchang Seafood, and Hansallim Jeju, and three logistics companies from October 2021 to August 2022. The ministry confirmed that using reusable delivery boxes could be deployed on a commercial scale. The distribution companies collected reusable delivery boxes through their delivery networks, and the logistics companies cleaned them and returned them to the distribution companies for reuse. The Korea Waste Association produced delivery boxes fitted for each distribution company. The ministry studied the economic, environmental, and resource circulation benefits for seven months.


The Ministry of Environment took and spanned the empirical data for a one-year cycle for analysis and learned that although reusing the boxes has low economic benefits; their use is remarkable in terms of environment and resource circulation. Regarding economic benefits, shipping costs vary depending on whether the type of delivery is fresh produce or one-day shipping. Still, using reusable boxes increased the average box cost of five distribution companies by KRW 169 (3.9%) compared to standard paper boxes. In terms of environmental benefits, reusable delivery boxes reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 622.1 g CO2 per shipping, which accounted for 74.49%, compared to the standard paper boxes. Regarding resource circulation benefits, the amount of generated waste was lowered by 99.3%, from 610 g per shipping to 4.3 g per shipping, when using reusable boxes.


In a survey regarding the use of reusable delivery boxes, most respondents replied that reusable delivery boxes have higher advantages in terms of performance, environmental, and resource circulation benefits. Of the 356 respondents, 294 (82.6%) answered that reusable boxes have better performance in keeping the goods safer, cooler, or warmer, and 317 (89.0%) responded that they contribute to reducing waste and improving the environment. However, only 124 (34.8%) agreed to the increased cost of goods using reusable shipping boxes, and only 120 (33.7%) agreed to pay deposits to prevent late or no returns. As seen from the results, improvement measures on economic feasibility and rate of recovery seem necessary.


The Ministry of Environment recognizes that standardizing the use of reusable delivery boxes and other packaging materials is necessary to reduce logistics costs for the storage and transport of reusable boxes. The ministry plans to draft a standard by early next year. Moreover, the Ministry of Environment intends to secure the budget to supply reusable delivery boxes. It will financially support making, washing, and collecting reusable boxes. The ministry will accelerate to provide reusable delivery boxes starting in 2024.


"Since last year, the ministry has started supplying reusable delivery containers for food and reusable cups for restaurants and coffee shops," said Seo Young-tae, Director of the Resources Circulation Policy Division. He added, "We plan to reduce waste by replacing disposable materials used in the logistics, including reusable boxes."


Contact:Yim Yang-seok, Deputy Director

Resources Circulation Policy Division / +82-(0)44-201-7354


Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr