Movie theaters offer special events to mark World Environment Day

Tote bags and picnic mats made of discarded movie screens by cinema chain CJ CGV in celebration of World Environment Day, which is June 5. [CJ CGV]

Korean movie theater chains are coming up with merchandise and events to celebrate World Environment Day which falls on June 5, according to the cinema industry on Wednesday.

CJ CGV collaborated with fashion startup F5 LAB and released “screen multi-bag” totes and “screen mat” picnic mats, both made from upcycled movie screens.

The tote bags, available in silver and white, cost 29,000 won ($26). The picnic mats are waterproof and retail for 32,000 won, with only 100 mats available. According to the industry, movie screens have been discarded as trash until now. About 70 movie screens have been thrown away in the past two years.

Cinema franchises Lotte Cinema and Megabox have prepared events that encourage moviegoers to use fewer disposable cups and popcorn bags. Lotte Cinema’s Konkuk University branch in eastern Seoul will start using reusable cups for drinks, which will be thoroughly sterilized after each use.

On World Environment Day, Lotte Cinema will host a special event which fills up whatever reusable container a moviegoer brings with popcorn for 6,000 won. The event will be held in 108 branches across the country, and the container must have a lid.

From June 5 to 27, Megabox will sell soft drinks for 1,000 won if moviegoers bring their own tumblers, and popcorn for 2,000 won if they bring reusable containers.

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]