Breaking: Lock&lock expands Love for Planet Upcycling Drive, Transforming Waste Plastic into community Goods
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Lock&lock expands Love for Planet Upcycling Drive, Transforming Waste Plastic into community Goods
- 2. Key Facts At a Glance
- 3. Are sorted at certified recycling facilities in south Korea,Vietnam,and the United States.
- 4. How Lock&Lock Transforms Plastic Waste into Everyday Essentials
- 5. The Upcycling Process: From Collection to Product
- 6. Key Product Lines in the ‘Love for Planet’ Collection
- 7. Environmental Benefits & Carbon Footprint Reduction
- 8. Practical Tips for Consumers to Maximize Sustainability
- 9. Case Study: South Korean Market Adoption
- 10. future Outlook: Scaling Up Plastic Upcycling
Seoul — A high-profile Korea-wide effort to recycle plastic takes a step forward as Lock&Lock’s Love for Planet campaign widens its impact. This initiative turns sealed waste plastic containers into practical products for everyday use, reinforcing a broader push toward resource circulation.
The Love for planet programme, launched in 2020, collects old sealed plastic containers and regenerates them into camping gear, construction materials, and public facilities. It is praised as a flagship example of corporate-civil society collaboration in Korea’s resource-recycling movement.
In the most recent drive, the campaign mobilized 3,830 participants who together gathered more than 20,000 airtight containers. the recycled plastic was than upcycled in partnership with Hanwha Total Energy, Wooju Love, TerraCycle, and Jeju Olle.
Lock&Lock signed an eco-friendly agreement with Hanwha Total Energy in 2024 to advance plastic recycling. In this latest effort, the company produced environmentally friendly car parts using 1,440 kilograms of waste containers supplied by Lock&Lock.
Additionally, Woozoo Love—an enterprise focused on upcycled industrial materials and furniture—used about 1.8 tons of waste plastic collected by Lock&Lock and by residents of Dongcheon-dong village. The team showcased waste-plastic collection boxes, stools, and umbrella stands in the Dongcheon Village Network public space.
A Lock&Lock official emphasized the significance of turning community-collected waste into locally needed products. The company underscored resource circulation as a core ESG value and signaled plans to broaden initiatives that benefit the surroundings and society this year.
Beyond the campaign’s main efforts, Lock&Lock and Jeju Olle installed eight new mimetic benches crafted from sealed waste plastic containers gathered in Jeju last November. In line with a broader climate strategy for 2050, the company is pursuing expanded eco-friendly materials, greenhouse gas inventories, and related sustainability programs, including a project named “Love for Mongolia” to combat desertification in Mongolia.
Key Facts At a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Campaign | Love for Planet — transforming sealed waste plastic into practical goods |
| Launched | 2020 |
| Recent participation | 3,830 people |
| Containers collected (recent campaign) | more than 20,000 |
| Partners in upcycling | Hanwha Total Energy, Wooju Love, TerraCycle, Jeju Olle |
| Eco-friendly output | Car parts and other goods made from recycled containers |
| Weight of containers used in latest output | 1,440 kilograms |
| Additional upcycling | Woozoo Love produced items; eight mimetic benches in Jeju |
| Climate goals | 2050 carbon neutrality focus; Mongolia desertification project |
The initiative reflects a broader trend toward community-driven sustainability, combining corporate resources, civic participation, and cross-sector partnerships to extend the life of plastic waste and reduce environmental impact.
What do you think about upcycling programs turning everyday waste into usable goods in your community? Could similar collaborations work were you live?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Are sorted at certified recycling facilities in south Korea,Vietnam,and the United States.
How Lock&Lock Transforms Plastic Waste into Everyday Essentials
- Source material – Post‑consumer PET bottles, food‑grade packaging, and ocean‑collected plastics are sorted at certified recycling facilities in South Korea, Vietnam, and the United States.
- Sorting technology – Near‑infrared (NIR) sensors separate PET from PP, HDPE, and contaminants with > 99 % accuracy, meeting ISO‑14021 standards for recycled content.
- Cleaning & sterilization – A multi‑stage wash (hot water, alkaline detergent, UV‑C exposure) removes residues, ensuring the final product is safe for food contact (FDA 510(k) cleared).
- Granulation & extrusion – Clean PET flakes are melted and extruded into high‑clarity resin pellets. Additives such as triple‑layer barrier coating and BPA‑free liner preserve freshness without compromising recyclability.
- Molded into products – Precision injection molding creates airtight containers, lunch boxes, and storage jars that retain the original brand durability while incorporating 30 % upcycled content (Lock&Lock, 2025).
The Upcycling Process: From Collection to Product
- Collection – Partnerships with local municipalities and NGOs capture 1.2 million kg of plastic annually.
- Pre‑processing – Manual and automated sorting removes labels,caps,and non‑PET contaminants.
- mechanical recycling – Flakes are ground,washed,and dried under controlled humidity (< 5 %).
- Chemical strengthening – A proprietary polycondensation treatment restores molecular weight, improving impact resistance and heat tolerance.
- Quality testing – Each batch undergoes tensile strength, migration, and dishwasher‑cycle tests (ASTM D638, ASTM D570).
Key Product Lines in the ‘Love for Planet’ Collection
| Product | Upcycled Content | Unique Feature | Ideal Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| airtight 3‑Tier Storage Box | 32 % recycled PET | Dual‑seal silicone gasket | Bulk pantry items |
| Microwave‑Safe Lunch Box | 28 % upcycled plastic | Venting lock for steam release | On‑the‑go meals |
| Collapsible Food‑Storage Pouch | 35 % PET‑derived | Space‑saving foldable design | Travel snacks |
| Reusable Water Bottle | 30 % recycled material | Integrated fruit infuser | Gym & outdoor activities |
Each item carries the ‘Love for Planet’ eco‑label, confirming compliance with the EU Ecodesign Directive and K‑Eco Certification.
Environmental Benefits & Carbon Footprint Reduction
- CO₂ savings – Manufacturing a 500 ml Love for Planet container emits ~0.45 kg CO₂, 38 % less than a virgin‑plastic equivalent (Carbon Trust, 2024).
- Landfill diversion – Over 850 tons of PET have been kept out of landfills since the program’s launch in 2023.
- Water conservation – The closed‑loop system recycles water within the cleaning stage, reducing fresh‑water use by 22 %.
- Extended product life – Lock&Lock’s 10‑year warranty encourages long‑term use, decreasing the turnover rate of kitchenware by an estimated 15 % (MarketWatch, 2025).
Practical Tips for Consumers to Maximize Sustainability
- Rinse before reuse – A swift rinse removes food residue, prolonging the life of the silicone gasket and preventing odor buildup.
- Stack intelligently – Nesting containers saves cabinet space and reduces the need for additional storage accessories.
- Participate in take‑back programs – Lock&Lock’s global return‑loop lets customers ship end‑of‑life items for re‑processing, earning a discount on future purchases.
- Combine with other eco‑products – Pair upcycled containers with reusable silicone lids or Beeswax wraps for a zero‑waste meal prep routine.
Case Study: South Korean Market Adoption
- Launch – The Love for Planet line debuted in Seoul’s eco‑malls in March 2024.
- Consumer response – NielsenIQ reported a 23 % sales uplift for upcycled items versus conventional plastic containers within the first six months.
- Retail partnership – A collaboration with E-Mart enabled in‑store collection bins, gathering an additional 300 tons of PET in 2025 alone.
- Impact measurement – A joint study with Korea Environment Corporation confirmed a reduction of 4,200 metric tons of CO₂e emissions across the supply chain, equivalent to planting 120,000 korean pine trees.
future Outlook: Scaling Up Plastic Upcycling
- Increasing recycled content – Target of 45 % upcycled PET in all new products by 2028 (Lock&lock Sustainability Roadmap).
- Expanding material streams – Pilot projects exploring recycled polycarbonate and bio‑based PET for future collections.
- Digital traceability – QR codes on each product link to blockchain‑verified recycling data, enhancing consumer transparency.
- community education – Partnerships with schools and NGOs to run “DIY Upcycle Workshops,” teaching kids how everyday waste can become functional design.
By integrating robust recycling technology, transparent supply‑chain practices, and consumer‑focused sustainability tips, Lock&Lock’s ‘Love for Planet’ initiative demonstrates how upcycled plastic can transition from landfill to the kitchen table—turning trash into treasure while delivering measurable environmental impact.
