Korean logistics company DSF L&I said Thursday that it has won this year’s top ESG award in the small manufacturing enterprise sector for successfully implementing a return system that collects reusable containers.

The ceremony, held at the National Assembly Building in Seoul on Tuesday, was hosted by the Korean ESG Association and the National Assembly ESG Forum, and sponsored by various entities including the Korean Automobile Environmental Association.

The award aims to recognize companies that successfully promote environmental, social and governance culture across society through their outstanding technology-based sustainable practices.

DSF L&I was recognized for promoting the use of various reusable containers and cups by developing and commercializing a return system using its near-field communication or NFC technology.

“By implementing an NFC technology-based return system, we have successfully promoted and systemized the use of reusable containers at the consumption stage and reinforced the importance of reducing carbon emissions beyond the manufacturing stage," a DSF L&I official explained.

In recent years, DSF L&I has actively laid the foundation for addressing carbon emissions at the consumption level through various efforts including its acquisition in August 2021 of Happy Bridge, a Korean company that specializes in cleaning and washing recyclable cups and containers for the Starbucks coffee chain.

Further, acknowledging the lack of preparations in the international logistics sector amid strict regulations imposed by the European Union and the US, it has actively offered distinguished logistic solutions for Korean companies exporting to the international market.

As part of its big ESG push, it has also completed the construction of a plant at a semiconductor cluster in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province in September to ramp up the provision of reusable containers-related services to contribute to the circular economy model.