CJ CheilJedang said on the 19th that it will run the "Be Straw Free" campaign with Resource Circulation Solidarity (NGO) and CJ Foodville to reduce the use of single-use petroleum-based plastic straws.
The "Be Straw Free" campaign will operate by not placing single-use petroleum-based plastic straws in stores and providing PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) straws, a biodegradable plastic material, upon customer request. It will run at a total of 20 stores from the 10th of this month, including 18 specialty coffee shops in Gangneung and two directly operated Tous Les Jours stores.
CJ CheilJedang will use this campaign to encourage consumers to practice "reducing the use of single-use petroleum-based plastic straws" and present biodegradable PHA straws as an alternative for a sustainable environment. CJ CheilJedang explained that PHA is compostable, drawing attention as a sustainable material that fits the "de-plastic" trend, and that it does not leave microplastics in the environment.
CJ CheilJedang last month obtained "marine biodegradability certification for straw raw material made from a single PHA material" from global certification body TÜV Austria, laying the groundwork for commercialization at home and abroad.
Meanwhile, PHA is a polymer substance that microorganisms naturally accumulate in cells after consuming plant-derived components, and it has the characteristic of decomposing not only in industrial and household composting facilities but also in soil and the ocean. It is used in a variety of fields, including cosmetics containers and infill for artificial turf, as well as straws. It can be expanded to new applications such as paper coatings and tableware. CJ CheilJedang began commercial production of PHA in 2022 and launched the biodegradable materials specialty brand "PHACT."
A CJ CheilJedang official said, "PHA straws are biodegradable and highly durable, so they can offset the shortcomings of existing petroleum-based plastic and paper straws," and added, "We plan to continue to strengthen ESG management to build a resource-circulating society based on the excellence of PHA."