Expected annual reductions of about 2,200 metric tons (~2,425 short tons) of plastic and about 2,900 metric tons (~3,197 short tons) of carbon; product label and bottle design updated — labeled 100% RECYCLED BOTTLE
Lotte Chilsung Beverage announced on the 30th that it has introduced a 500ml PET bottle of Chilsung Cider made entirely from recycled plastic — the first of its kind in Korea. The move was planned as a proactive response to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment’s enforcement of the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources.
Starting this year, manufacturers of bottled water and nonalcoholic beverages that use more than 5,000 metric tons of PET bottles annually (about 5,512 short tons) must include at least 10% recycled content in their PET production. By switching its 500ml Chilsung Cider bottles (500ml ≈ 16.9 fl oz) to 100% recycled plastic, Lotte Chilsung expects to cut roughly 2,200 metric tons of plastic and about 2,900 metric tons of carbon emissions each year. The company says this will reduce the environmental impact of landfill and incineration, support carbon neutrality and climate action, and advance its ESG commitments.
The new 500ml PET bottle also gets a design refresh. The label now prominently reads 100% RECYCLED BOTTLE (company mark) to emphasize the recycled content. The bottle’s lower section replaces the previous rounded profile with a bold, angular embossed pattern for a sleeker look and improved grip, marrying style with usability.
The ad campaign generated buzz as well. Centered on the concept “Firsts change everyone,” the company released two spots — one featuring migratory birds and another with penguins — on YouTube and Instagram. In about a month, the campaign racked up roughly 50 million views and drew wide public attention.
With this product and its campaign, Lotte Chilsung underscored the innovation and leadership that come with being first, using the message “change everyone” to set a new benchmark for beverage packaging. The company positions a simple purchase of Chilsung Cider as a small act of value-driven consumption, signaling a coherent direction for change across product development and marketing.
In December, Lotte Chilsung Beverage won a silver award in the crisis reputation management category at the 2025 Korea Digital Advertising Awards, organized by the Korea Digital Advertising Association, for its “Chilsung Cider Zero 740 Street” campaign. That campaign leaned on the concept “the most delicious foodie street” and played on the numbers tied to the words Chilsung (7), Cider (4), and Zero (0), showcasing Chilsung Cider Zero across Seoul neighborhoods like Seongsu and Jamsil.
A Lotte Chilsung Beverage spokesperson said, \"As the first company in Korea to produce a 500ml PET bottle made entirely from recycled materials, we hope this pioneering effort becomes a model that inspires change. Chilsung Cider has been part of Koreans’ lives through their highs and lows, and we will do our best to keep it a leading carbonated beverage that customers of all ages continue to choose.\"
Reporter Dana Shin shindana@viva100.com
