LG Electronics announced on the 21st that it will launch the tumbler washer 'MyCup' as a new B2B (business-to-business) project on the upcoming Earth Day on the 22nd.
MyCup is a product that enables the easy and clean use of tumblers instead of disposable cups in cafes, offices, and other locations. LG Electronics plans to sequentially install MyCup in all 2,000 Starbucks stores nationwide in collaboration with Starbucks Korea within the year. The two companies have been validating the product in actual stores since late 2022 as part of their collaboration to promote the use of reusable cups.
LG Electronics has incorporated the differentiated washing and drying performance of the DIO dishwasher and multi-directional washing technology into this product. Customers can choose from three courses according to their needs. If quick cleaning within 30 seconds is required, they can select the 'Rapid Course'; for more thorough cleaning and drying needed after consuming coffee or dairy products, they can choose either the 'Standard Course (4 minutes)' or the 'Drying Course (9 minutes and 50 seconds).'
MyCup can wash both the inside and outside of the tumbler, as well as the lid simultaneously, using rotating wash wings and high-pressure water at 65 degrees. According to the test results from the global certification body TÜV Rheinland, harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Listeria, and Salmonella were found to be removed by 99.999% after the standard course.
The product has a width of 23 cm, allowing it to be installed in narrow spaces, and the 12-inch touch screen mounted on top of the product can play customized advertisements. Additionally, eco-friendly materials, including recycled plastics, have been applied to various parts of the product, such as the exterior cabinet, the inlet cover, and around the touch screen.
LG Electronics will also introduce a B2B subscription service and a dedicated management app. Customers utilizing the subscription will receive professional management and services through a care manager every three months for tasks that are difficult to handle directly, including ▲ steam cleaning of the door's lower grill, detergent, and rinse solution intake ▲ confirming touchscreen operation and inspecting for exterior damage ▲ replacing the filter in the washing tank and water supply part.
Managers can monitor device registration and usage status, detergent and rinse solution usage, etc., through the dedicated app. Customers visiting the store can also check the locations of stores that have the product installed and the current number of individuals using the device in the store via the app. The monthly subscription fee based on a three-year contract for MyCup is 91,900 won.
According to the Ministry of Environment, as of 2022, the domestic usage of disposable cups reached a total of 23.1 billion, including 17.2 billion paper cups and 5.9 billion plastic cups, which is expected to incur a treatment cost of approximately 1 trillion won. Lee Hyang, who is in charge of HS CX at LG Electronics, said, "We will contribute to the spread of tumbler usage culture with MyCup, which provides differentiated customer experiences based on the cleaning and drying technology accumulated by dishwashers," and added, "We will expand our subscription business area through new B2B projects."